Where should you leave your rake on a golf course?
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. From a greenkeeper's point of view, leaving the rake inside the bunker helps them speed up maintenance around the edge of the hazard.
Who decides where rakes should be placed on a course?
Ultimately, it is a matter for the committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed. Jeremy Ellwood has worked in the golf industry since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor.
What do the rules say about bunker rakes in golf?
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 or bury under the rake. So, what’s the rule? There is no rule!
Is there a rule on where to place rakes in a wedding?
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.”
Where do you put the rake in a sand trap?
“The recommendation is to leave rakes outside of the bunker,” says Pagel. “We always place rakes outside of the bunker and parallel to the line of play for USGA Championships.”
Can you take a rake into the bunker?
0:541:52Rules of Golf - Rake in bunker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're gonna have to go outside of the bunker. And because of the placement of the rake they'reMoreThey're gonna have to go outside of the bunker. And because of the placement of the rake they're gonna incur a one stroke. One stroke penalty.
What happens if you hit the rake in golf?
The penalties are stiff. Merely carrying the club, and not using it, can cost him up to four strokes in stroke play and the loss of two holes in match play. And if he happens to make a stroke with his sandpapered club, he's disqualified.
How do you rake a bunker at a golf course?
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.
Where should rake be placed?
2:474:03Should the Rake Be Placed Inside or Outside the Bunker? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe only way to position them is to throw them into the bunker. And this causes indentations. In theMoreThe only way to position them is to throw them into the bunker. And this causes indentations. In the sand. Also if a rake is in the middle of a large bunker.
Where do you put the rake?
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.
Can you clean your golf ball on the putting green?
When you lift your ball from the putting green. it may always be cleaned. When you lift your ball from anywhere else it may always be cleaned except when you lift it: To see if it is cut or cracked – cleaning is not allowed.
Are you allowed to clean your golf ball on the fairway?
A golfer cannot clean their ball in any other situation, including when the ball is in the fairway, when the ball is in the rough, when the ball is in a bunker.
Where should you leave a bunker rake?
The main one would be leaving it at right angles to the line of play. This greatly increases the chances of it affecting another player's ball. Instead, you should always try to leave it parallel to the line of play. Another mistake to avoid is leaving it half in, half out of the bunker.
How often should bunkers be raked?
Bunkers always have been considered more expensive to maintain than turf, although in the old days, raking them three times a week versus mowing rough three times a week shouldn't have cost substantially more. Nowadays, higher bunker standards require daily hand-raking and edging and weekly leaf/clipping blowing.
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.
Do you have to rake the bunker?
The only time a golfer can rake smooth a bunker they are unfortunate to be trapped in is after they play their shot. After the shot has been played, the golfer should use a rake to smooth the sand in preparation for golfers following behind. Sometimes golfers will find the bunker they are in has no rake.
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.
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?
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.