The Rules
CHRIS LANG ( 2 )
WHILE YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THEM CALLED “ SAND TRAPS ” OR “ THE BEACH ,” these prepared sandy areas are known under the Rules of Golf as bunkers . Whether in the fairway or greenside , these areas present an additional challenge to playing the game . As golfers we may do our best to avoid bunkers and stay in the short grass , but we ’ re bound to end up in the sand sometimes !
WHAT IS A BUNKER ? First , we ’ ll start off with what bunkers are ( or are not ), so that you can recognize them on the course ! Under the Rules , a bunker is a specially prepared area of sand , often a hollow made in the ground . Common things you may see around a bunker , such as a lip , wall or face at the edge of a bunker made of soil , grass or stacked turf , are not part of the bunker . Additionally , sand that has spilled over or is outside the edge of a prepared area is not part of the bunker .
Finally , areas of desert or other naturally sandy areas , sometimes referred to as “ waste areas ,” are not bunkers — these areas are not specially prepared areas of sand .
WHEN IS YOUR BALL IN A BUNKER ? Next up is how to know when your ball lies in a bunker — your ball is in a bunker when any part of it touches sand on the ground inside the edge of the bunker . This is the most common way your ball will be in a bunker — your ball simply sits on the sand in that prepared area .
There are some less common situations where your ball is also considered to lie in a bunker . The first situation is when your ball is inside the edge of the bunker and rests on ground where sand would normally be . For example , if your ball lies in the middle of a large bunker , but there is a washed- or worn-out area where sand is no longer present , your ball still lies in the bunker ( even if it is touching ground or dirt ). Additionally , if your ball lies in or on a loose impediment , movable obstruction , abnormal course condition or integral object that touches sand in the bunker , your ball is in the bunker .
You may also be familiar with “ grass islands ” that are sometimes featured in bunkers . These are areas of growing , attached grass and therefore are not part of the bunker .
WHAT PERMISSIONS OR RESTRICTIONS DO YOU HAVE IN A BUNKER ? Bunkers are one of the five defined areas of the course , and therefore have specific Rules that apply when your ball is located in that area . You are restricted in how you can touch the sand in the bunker where your ball lies . Before making a stroke at your ball in a bunker , you must not do the following things :
• Deliberately touch sand in the bunker with your hand , club or any other object to test the condition of the sand and learn information for your next stroke .
• Touch sand in the bunker with your club :
• In the area right in front of or right behind your ball ,
A bunker is one of five defined areas of the course , thus it comes with its own set of rules .
• In making a practice swing , or
• In making your backswing for a stroke .
Outside of the actions listed above , you are not prohibited from touching sand in other ways , such as :
• Placing your clubs , equipment or other objects in the bunker ,
• Leaning on a club to rest , stay balanced or prevent a fall , or
• Striking the sand in frustration or anger .
Finally , just like elsewhere on the course , before playing your ball in a bunker , you are free to remove loose impediments ( detached natural objects ), such as leaves or stones . You may also remove movable obstructions ( artificial objects that can be moved with reasonable effort ), such as rakes .
Playing from the bunker can be hard enough — it ’ s smart to keep in mind the Rules that apply to avoid getting any additional penalties !
Kelsey Solan works in the USGA Rules Department . She played collegiately at James Madison University .
vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2021 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 15