Rule 12: Playing from the Bunker
What this is about
The golf course has special sandy areas, known as bunkers. This rule explains when your ball is in a bunker. It also covers what you can and can't do with the sand before you hit your ball.
What you need to do
Your ball is in a bunker if it touches the sand, or the ground where sand is normally found.
- You may remove loose leaves or twigs before you play your stroke. You may also move a rake or a bottle.
- You may dig your feet in to get a good stance.
- You may not deliberately press your club into the sand to test its firmness.
- You may not make a practice swing where your club touches the sand.
- This also applies to your backswing, the movement of your club backward before your actual stroke.
- If you touch the sand in a way that's not allowed, you get two penalty strokes.
- Once your ball is out of the bunker, you're allowed to rake it neatly.
Common mistake
Many beginners think they can take a practice swing to see how the sand reacts. This isn't allowed if your club touches the sand. You may not test the surface of the bunker before your stroke.
Example
Your ball ends up in a bunker. You want to take a few practice swings. During your practice swing, your club touches the sand just behind the ball. You get two penalty strokes for this, because you tested the condition of the sand.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
12.1 When the ball is in a bunker
A ball is in a bunker if any part of the ball touches the edge of the bunker or lies within its edges.
12.2 Playing a ball in a bunker
12.2a Restrictions on touching the sand
Before a player makes a stroke at a ball in a bunker, they must not touch the sand with their hand, club, rake or any other object, unless this happens as part of a reasonable action. Specifically, the player must not touch the sand:
- In the area right in front of or behind the ball
- When making a practice swing
- When making a backswing for the stroke
But the player is allowed to:
- Smooth the sand (out of care for the course) as long as this doesn't improve the lie of the ball, or the player's stance or swing
- Lean on a club while waiting or resting
- Enter or leave the bunker normally
12.2b Restrictions on loose impediments and movable obstructions
Before a player plays a ball from a bunker, he may remove loose impediments and movable obstructions (this is a change compared to previous rules).
12.3 Specific rules for relief in bunkers
If a player is entitled to relief (for an abnormal course condition or an embedded ball), they can take free relief within the bunker, or take relief outside the bunker with one penalty stroke.