is there a rule for where the rake should be on a golf course

by Prof. Martin Block III 6 min read

There are some guidelines, though, as found in Decisions on the Rules of Golf (fine bedtime reading if there ever was any). Decision Misc./2 stats that “Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed.” In other words, if your club or course has made this decision, put the rake where they say.

The best advice is to use common sense and place the rakes outside of the bunkers where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball. Once the Com- mittee decides where bunker rakes should go, the maintenance staff (and the golfers!) should be trained to put the rakes in the proper place.

Full Answer

What do the rules say about bunker rakes in golf?

Dec 03, 2021 · A rake is considered a movable obstruction when used in a Bunker. In accordance with Rule 24-1b, your opponent must lift the ball, remove the rake, and take a drop as close to the spot beneath its original position as possible before playing. Are You Allowed To Rake A Bunker? The penalty for touching sand is (1) When it is touched.

Where should you leave your rake on a golf course?

Well, this question has been debated for a long time and it seems there is no definitive answer from the ruling body of golf, the United States Golf Association, except as a recommendation to place them outside (parallel to the line of play) because there was less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player.

Who decides where rakes should be placed on a course?

There is no rule! If there was a rule, at least one couple would still be happily married. There are some guidelines, though, as found in Decisions on the Rules of Golf (fine bedtime reading if there ever was any). Decision Misc./2 stats that “Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed.”

Is there a rule on where to place rakes in a wedding?

Jan 08, 2022 · If you have been hit by a golf shot, you must rake your footprints and take note of any disruption. Table of contents; 1. ... which require golf courses to remove shared surfaces used by golfers, rakes are not used in the bunkers. There is a bunker rake on one of these surfaces, so it has been removed from the course as well. ... (see Rule 16 ...

Where should you leave the rake in the bunker?

1:034:03Should the Rake Be Placed Inside or Outside the Bunker? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhile recognizing that the positioning of rakes is at the committee's discretion it is recommendedMoreWhile recognizing that the positioning of rakes is at the committee's discretion it is recommended that the rake should be left outside bunkers.

Should rakes be left in the bunker?

It explains that the biggest concern is the rake getting in the way of play. So, don't leave them inside the bunker along a steep bank, because it could catch someone's ball. Don't toss rakes into the middle of bunkers, because you're just a jerk if you do that.Jul 14, 2016

Why is there a rake in or around the bunker in golf?

We rake the bunkers so the ball will finish in the middle of the bunker. By leaving the rake there, it means if the ball does hit it, the player will not have been unfairly impeded. This takes away the chance of the ball settling up the face or, worse, right at the back of the bunker.Oct 28, 2019

What happens if golf ball hits rake?

Bunker rakes are considered movable obstructions. Per Rule 24-1b, your opponent must lift the ball, remove the rake, and take a drop as near as possible to the spot beneath its original position, then play without penalty.Oct 16, 2015

Can you move a stone in a bunker?

Current Rule: When a player's ball is in a bunker, Rule 13-4 provides (with exceptions) that the player must not: ➢ Test the condition of the bunker, ➢ Touch the ground in the bunker with a hand or club, or ➢ Touch or move loose impediments that are in the bunker.

What are the new bunker rules in golf?

In a bunker, you must not touch the sand with either hand or club, or touch or move any loose impediments in the hazard. You are now able to touch or move loose impediments in a bunker and generally touch the sand with hand or club. However, you still must not deliberately touch it to test its condition.

What is a bunker rake?

Designed by a golf course superintendent to be used with the “Aussie Style” of bunker maintenance. The tine-less or “toothless” rake has two sides, a smooth side to help pack down the vertical sides of a bunker, and a side with ridges to rough up the bottom of the bunker without leaving large grooves in the sand.

Can you take a drop out of a bunker in golf?

As of 2019, you now have the option to drop outside the bunker. Whilst it gets you out the bunker, it comes with the penalty of two strokes.Jan 4, 2022

Where should the golf club be at the end of the follow through?

6:1910:42GOLF: One Simple Follow Through Technique To Lower Your ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's going to be the butt end and then the club head to right both the club head would be hereMoreAnd that's going to be the butt end and then the club head to right both the club head would be here.

Where should rake be placed?

The best advice is to use common sense and place the rakes outside of the bunkers where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball.

Is there a penalty for hitting another golf ball on the green 2021?

New Rule: Under Rule 13.1d, there is no longer a penalty if a player (or opponent) accidentally causes the player's ball to move on the putting green.

Is a Caddie an outside influence?

"Outside influence" is a term used in the Rules of Golf for things that cause your golf ball at rest to move; or cause your moving golf ball to deflect or stop moving; and that are not you, your partner, your opponent (in match play), your caddies, the equipment of any of the above, or wind or water.Oct 9, 2019

Grant Peters, course manager, Parkstone (Dorset)

"At Parkstone we leave the head of the bunker rake inside the bunker with the handle resting on the lip. I feel that this saves time on maintenance as the operator doesn’t have to stop and move rakes while cutting around the bunker.

Dave Roberts, course manager, Saddleworth (Lancashire)

"We have our rakes stood up inside the bunker. The reason we do that is there are a lot of hidden bunkers on the course due to its topography and it gives a better indication to the golfers of just where these bunkers are.

Keith Burgon, course manager, Eyemouth (Berwickshire, Scotland)

"We leave the bunker rake in the middle of the bunker, pointing towards the green. That way, there’s less chance of it getting hit by a ball. That’s the same in fairway and greenside bunkers.

Rob Hay, course manager, Northamptonshire County (Northamptonshire)

"Over the years our members have requested a variety of different options, including rakes on stands so the handle is off the ground or the rake standing vertically in a tube, so a ball doesn’t come to rest against it. At the moment, we have the rake in the bunker with the handle sitting on the edge of the walk-in.

THE VERDICT

According to the course managers we spoke to, the ideal location to leave your rake is inside the bunker, as close to the centre as possible, with the rake pointing in a direct line towards the hole.

Where should rakes be left in a bunker?

Some would argue that rakes should be left in, or lobbed into, the centre of a bunker, and if the rake is to be left in the bunker, then clearly there is some merit in this as bunkers tend to be concave so that is the spot to which rolling balls will typically gather, depending on the type and consistency of the sand.

What is the rule for replacing a ball in a bunker?

When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the bunker and the player must proceed under Rule 24-1, it may not be possible to replace the ball on the same spot or find a spot in the bunker which is not nearer the hole — see decision 20-3d/2.

What is the back of the bunker shot?

The ‘back of the bunker’ shot where the rear lip impinges on either backswing or downswing can yield some very interesting and costly results. At least from the grass downslope tee-side of the bunker you can usually advance it vaguely forwards, thus limiting the direct scorecard damage to a single shot.

Can a rake be placed outside a bunker?

It may be argued that there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into, or kept out of, a bunker if the rake is placed outside the bunker. It could also be argued that if the rake is in the bunker it is most unlikely that the ball will be deflected out of the bunker. However, in practice, players who leave rakes in bunkers frequently leave ...

Should rakes be left outside bunkers?

Therefore, after considering all these aspects, it is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball.

Where should rakes be left?

Therefore, after considering all these aspects, it is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball. So there you have it: put the rakes outside the bunker unless otherwise instructed by your club or course.

When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the bunker, must the player proceed?

When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the bunker and the player must proceed under Rule 24-1, it may not be possible to replace the ball on the same spot or find a spot in the bunker which is not nearer the hole. It’s impractical to leave a rake in the middle of the bunker – you’d have to throw it into the bunker after raking your ...

Can a bunker rake affect a player's ball?

We hear it’s even been the cause of at least one divorce! What do the rules say about bunker rakes – they sure are a mystery. Let’s get an answer. In either position – in or out – the bunker can affect a player’s ball. Outside it could knock a ball into a bunker (or prevent it from falling into one), and inside it could keep a ball in a bunker ...

Can you leave a rake in the middle of a bunker?

It’s impractical to leave a rake in the middle of the bunker – you’d have to throw it into the bunker after raking your footsteps on your way out, and by throwing the rake you’d undo much of the work you just did in smoothing the bunker.

Can you keep a golf ball in a bunker?

Outside it could knock a ball into a bunker (or prevent it from falling into one), and inside it could keep a ball in a bunker or bury under the rake. So, what’s the rule? There is no rule! If there was a rule, at least one couple would still be happily married. There are some guidelines, though, as found in Decisions on the Rules of Golf ...

Is there a perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt there is

If there is no such policy, then Misc./2 lays out some general guidelines: There is not a perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside of bunkers. A rake placed outside of a bunker may cause a ball to deflect into the bunker, ...

Is there a likelihood of a ball being deflected into or kept out of a bunker

Decision Misc./2 continues: It may be argued that there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into or kept out of a bunker if the rake is placed outside the bunker. It could also be argued that if the rake is in the bunker it is most unlikely that the ball will be deflected out of the bunker.

Why do you rake over footprints in golf?

When possible, golfers should also rake over footprints moving backward and out of the bunker at the lowest point possible, this will help avoid damage to the bunker.

Why do you use the feet in golf?

Using the feet is often easier because they are bigger than the club head. Golfers should remember to smooth the sand and walk backwards out of a bunker to avoid adding extra footprints. This method might take a few minutes longer but will gain plaudits from whoever visits the bunker next.

Why is sand level in bunkers important?

Keeping the sand level throughout the bunker also helps ensure a ‘false lip’ is not created. This is when the sand is raked towards the front or back of the bunker disproportionately, building up either the front or back lip of the bunker.

How to ensure you don't arouse someone's ire?

To ensure you don’t arouse someone’s ire, always try to follow the unwritten rules of golf, essential if you want to be thought of as a considerate player .

Can you rake smooth a bunker?

This means if a golfer enters a bunker to find thousands of footprints, they can’t do anything about them until they hit their own shot. The only time a golfer can rake smooth a bunker they are unfortunate to be trapped in is after they play their shot.

image