The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, weâve got the guru. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. Got a question? Heâs got all the answers.
Is a patch of grass thatâs not mowed to fairway height but within the perimeter of a big bunker, considered in the sand bunker â meaning that you canât ground the club? âJD Masur, via email
A lawyerly question from a JD â how appropriate!
The definition of bunker tells us that soil, or any growing or attached natural object inside the edge of the bunker, is not, repeat not, part of the bunker. Thus, you could indeed ground your club on the grass itself.
Caveat! If itâs a small patch of grass, make sure the ball isnât touching any of the sand in the bunker, which brings in a host of complex issues around Rule 8 and lightly touching the sand while grounding the club that would probably wind up in a 5-4 decision at the Supreme Court.
As you donât want me to bill you my hourly rate, letâs leave it at that.
Rules Guy: If your ball goes in a bunker, is it legal to take practice swings that touch the sand in a different bunker?
For more bunker-related guidance from our guru, read on …
My ball is behind a bunker that I have to play over in order to reach the green. The bunker hasnât been raked by a previous player, with many footprints and a big divot. Can I rake the bunker prior to my shot in case thatâs where my ball winds up?
âTim Harmer, Wendouree,
VIC, Australia
Optimism isnât exactly your long suit, is it, Tim? Alas and alack, under Rule 8.1a(3) youâre not allowed to improve any bunker on your line of play by smoothing footprints or unraked areas. A breach gets you the general penalty of two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play.
Perhaps ironically, you can take care of a bunker that isnât on your line of play to care for the course. Another thing you can do: Believe in yourself! Get that ball airborne and over the bunker, Tim! As the kids say, Letâs gooooo!
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Got a question about the Rules? Ask the Rules Guy! Send your queries, confusions and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise he wonât throw the book at you.