Rake This is a tool used on a sand bunker to re-smooth the sand after it has been stepped or played on. It is also a term used to describe a lofted iron club that resembles a rake.
Why do I need to replace my golf rake?
This is especially important following greenside bunker shots. Walking across the green after hitting a bunker shot can leave sandy footprints that cause playability issues for other golfers and may even damage expensive maintenance equipment. The final step is replacing your rake in the location preferred by the course.
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.
Why do golfers leave rake marks on the sand?
Points on the end, and when you comb them through the sand, they leave rake marks, as rakes tend to do. But that’s kind of a problem, because it creates a slight asymmetry for golfers.
Should you use a rake to rake the bunker?
And that’s predicated on the person before you actually raking the bunker well. Often times, golfers just quickly use the rake to push sand around in big mounds, which can be really punishing for golfers. Maybe it’s just part of the game, but it just seems imperfect to me.
What is rake and place golf rule?
0:311:52Rules of Golf - Rake in bunker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd PGA Tour events that's encouraged that they are left outside the overriding principle of that isMoreAnd PGA Tour events that's encouraged that they are left outside the overriding principle of that is that more harm can come to a player when it's left inside than a cut outside.
Where should you put the rake in golf?
The USGA recommends placing rakes outside of bunkers and away from where they are likely to interfere with play. Ideally, you don't want to place rakes across the line of play or in a location where they could trap balls in a difficult spot – e.g., within a bunker on a steep slope near the lip.
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.
Can you rake a bunker before your shot?
A. When your ball is in a bunker, you may rake the bunker at any time to care for the course as long as you do not improve the conditions affecting your upcoming stroke (this means to improve your lie, area of intended stance, area of intended swing or line of play) (see Rule 12.2b(2)).
What is proper golf etiquette?
Parking your cart/golf bag on the side of the green towards the next hole. Being ready to play when it's your turn. Don't sit in the cart while your playing partner is hitting. Get out and go to your ball, figure out what club you want to hit, and be ready when it's your turn. Playing forward.
Can you take a drop out of a bunker in golf?
Previously, if you play a bunker shot and leave it in there, there is then no option at all to drop outside. This new Rule ensures you always have the choice to drop outside the bunker, but it will cost you an extra penalty stroke.
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.
Can you move your ball out of a footprint in a bunker?
“When a player's ball lies in a bunker the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball within 6 inches of the original ball, but still within the bunker and not nearer the hole.
Can I declare a ball unplayable in a bunker?
Just as you would should you declare a ball unplayable in the rough or behind a tree, you can do so in a bunker. For a one stroke penalty, you are permitted to drop within two club lengths of your unplayable ball providing it is no nearer the hole and remains within the bunker.
What happens if a bunker is full of water?
A. 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)).
Can you touch the sand in a bunker?
The main rule to follow in bunkers is you are not allowed to touch the sand with your club whether that be grounding it behind the ball, shifting sand on your backswing or having a practice shot in the sand.
Why do golf courses use different rakes?
Courses choose different rakes for a variety of reasons including price, the type of sand they have, the type of playing surface they want, and the appearance of the rake itself .
What to do after raking a bunker?
After raking a bunker, the sand should be as smooth as possible. If using the “Aussie method”, use the back of the rake head to smooth the perimeter as you exit. When raking a bunker, do not leave piles of sand or depressions that might create a tough lie for someone else. Superintendents work hard to provide good bunker playability ...
What happens if you walk across the green after hitting a bunker shot?
This is especially important following greenside bunker shots. Walking across the green after hitting a bunker shot can leave sandy footprints that cause playability issues for other golfers and may even damage expensive maintenance equipment. The final step is replacing your rake in the location preferred by the course.
How to smooth the perimeter of a bunker?
If you find yourself in a bunker that has been prepared this way, flip the rake over and use the smooth side of the rake head – with the teeth facing up – to smooth the perimeter of the bunker where you enter and exit after raking your way out of the floor. When raking near the edge of a bunker, do not pull sand out of the bunker into the grass.
How to maintain bunker grass?
In addition to this basic goal, there are a few other things to keep in mind while raking that can help maintain the bunker and surrounding grass areas: Always enter and exit on the low side of a bunker – do not jump down or climb up steep faces, even if it might be a faster.
Can you climb steep grass?
Climbing steep grass faces can cause serious turf damage in an area where it is already hard to grow grass. Walking up and down sand faces can cause the sand to shift and collapse, which creates playability issues and a time- consuming repair job for the maintenance team.
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.