where do sand rakes belong on golf course

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.

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Where do golf rakes go on a golf course?

May 16, 2017 · Keeping the rake outside the bunker is also good for actually raking the sand. A player is able to easily grab a rake before entering the …

Where should the rake be placed in a bunker?

A few clubs, including Pine Valley Golf Club, place the rakes half-in, half-out, keeping the handles off the ground. I like that myself, but it does not help ease maintenance. I’ve played at several golf courses where the rakes are placed on the back of golf carts. Not a bad idea either.

How do you use a sand rake?

So there you have it: put the rakes outside the bunker unless otherwise instructed by your club or course. How? The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) further recommends that rakes be placed flat on the ground, tines …

Who decides where rakes should be placed on a course?

Golf Bunker Rules And Etiquette, Raking The Sand. Code golf-info-guide.com. 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.

Where should rakes be placed on a golf course?

bunkersTherefore, 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.Nov 14, 2017

What is the sand part of a golf course called?

Bunkers (or sand traps) are shallow pits filled with sand and generally incorporating a raised lip or barrier, from which the ball is more difficult to play than from grass.

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

Are rakes allowed in bunkers?

If rakes are left in the middle of the bunker, the only way to position them is to throw them into the bunker and this causes damage to the surface. Also, if a rake is in the middle of a large bunker, it is either not used or the player is obliged to rake a large area of the bunker, resulting in unnecessary delay.Dec 31, 2011

Is it a bunker or a sand trap?

Bunker is the proper term for what is commonly called a sand trap. Bunker is official terminology, sand trap is just what people say.”Apr 17, 2020

Why is there sand on a golf course?

Sand helps cushion leaf tips and crowns and reduces algae. Increased Firmness – Turf produces organic matter in the upper rootzone that creates soft, spongy playing conditions. Regular sand topdressing, along with core aeration, improves surface firmness and resiliency.Jun 30, 2020

Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?

The correct method of play would be to return to the spot from which the original ball was last played, and under penalty of one stroke, continue play from there. Yes, that means that a lost ball is a stroke and distance penalty.

How do you leave a rake in a bunker?

Take your shot. Drop the rake behind you before taking your stance. Then, play your shot. You should drop the rake at a convenient spot that is within reaching distance from where you will take your shot.Jun 1, 2020

What happens if a bunker is full of water?

When the bunker is filled with temporary water, you may play your ball as it lies or take free relief in the bunker. When taking free relief, you must find the nearest point of complete relief in the bunker and drop within the one club-length relief area (see Rule 16.1c(1)).

How do you rake a sand bunker?

0:321:59Fore The Golfer: How To Rake A Bunker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf deep depressions are left by your feet or from hitting the golf ball use the smooth side of theMoreIf deep depressions are left by your feet or from hitting the golf ball use the smooth side of the rake to fill them in then flip the rake over and use the other side to smooth the entire area.

Why are there no rakes in bunkers?

Today's question relates to the recent practice of golf courses removing bunker rakes as a precaution against Covid-19 transmission. If players draw an unfavorable lie in the sand as a result, they have been given the option to place their ball elsewhere in the bunker.

What is preferred lie?

Preferred Lies (or Winter Rules) is a local rule that may be adopted by the committee in charge of a course when adverse conditions are so apparent throughout a course that improving the lie of the ball in a specified way would promote fair play and help protect the turf.Oct 24, 2017

What happens when you finish a bunker?

When you are finished, the sand's surface should be evened out, with no signs of divots or footprints, and no excess sand having been pulled toward the bunker's edge. There will be little furrows left from the tines of the rake.

Who is Brent Kelley?

How to Rake Sand Bunkers. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism.

Can you put a rake in a bunker?

Contrary to what some golfers believe, it is not only within the rules to take a rake into a bunker with you, it is advisable to do so because it speeds up the process. (Note: Be sure you do not allow the rake to touch the sand, except when you drop it before playing the shot.

Can you ground a golf club in a bunker?

That's not ideal. A bunker is a hazard, after all, and you can't ground your club in it. The argument for placing bunker rakes outside sand traps is also clear: Having the rake outside the bunker means that a ball can go any which way once it's in the sand trap. It could roll out. It could go to the worst spot imaginable.

Can you put a rake in a bunker?

If you put the rake inside the bunker, then a golf ball has almost no chance of hitting a rake and ending up outside of a bunker. Isn't that kind of the point? If the ball goes in the bunker, it should typically stay in there, forcing the golfer to hit from the sand. However, a rake in the bunker can also mean that the ball could be stopped ...

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 ...