Bunker Do’s and Don’ts

The specific rules relating to bunkers are covered in Rule 12 of the Rules of Golf. Your ball is in the bunker if any part of it touches the sand or a part of the bunker where sand would normally be. If your ball lodges in a grass face and no part of the ball touches the sand or a part of the bunker that would normally have sand on it, you are not in the bunker (Rule 12.1).

Do’s
• You can remove loose impediments (leaves, stones etc) that effect yur swing, stance or line of play (Rule 12.2a) however, if your ball moves whilst you are doing so, it must be replaced and a 2 – shot penalty applies. (Rule 15.1)

• You can move moveable obstructions (bunker rakes) that effect your swing, stance or line of play (Rule 12.2a) however, if in doing so your ball moves, it must be replaced, and no penalty applies. If you do not replace the ball a 2 – shot penalty applies (Rule 15.2). This is why, out of courtesy to other players bunker rakes should be placed on the flat area of the bunker and not in a position where a ball may come to rest against them on the face of a bunker.
• You can repair damage to the bunker (unraked footprints etc) prior to playing your shot (Rule 12.2b (2)), however, if the footprints or damage is in your line of play or backswing they cannot be repaired until after you play your shot. If you do improve your line of play or swing path in repairing damage to the bunker a 2 – shot penalty applies. (Rule 8.1)
• You can rest your club on the sand to maintain your balance. (Rule 12.2b (2)) provided in doing so it does not improve your line of backswing or play, if it does a 2 – shot penalty applies. (Rule 8.1)
• You can take reasonable actions to take your stance (Rule 12.2b (2), however you cannot build your stance, if you do a 2 – shot penalty applies (Rule 8.1).
• You can take unplayable ball relief within the bunker under penalty of 1 shot, or outside the bunker, back along the line under penalty of 2 shots. (Rule 19.3b.)
• You can take free relief inside the bunker from exposed bunker matting (immoveable obstruction) that is touching your ball or effects your intended stance or swing (Rule 16.1b). You have an additional option under a 1 shot penalty to take relief back along the line outside the bunker. (16.1c (s))
• You do get free relief for a Dangerous Animal Condition (Rule 16.2a), However, you don’t get free relief under this rule if the ball is clearly unplayable for another reason other than the dangerous animal or where interference only exists because the player clearly chooses a club, stance, swing or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable under the circumstances.

Don’ts
• You cannot ground your club whilst taking a practice swing, as you address the ball, or whilst taking your backswing (Rule 12.2b (1)).
• You cannot test the sand (Rule 12.2b (1)).
• You cannot improve your intended line of play or swing (Rule 8.1).

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