Entering, raking and exiting bunkers
Golf Rules for
St. Andrews Golf Club as stated by the Greens Committee: Rake all areas
that you disturb by entering, exiting and walking through bunkers. ALWAYS
enter and exit bunkers on the low side DO NOT climb up or down
steep bunker slopes, as this will damage those areas.
Bunkers are designed to be and are
classified as a hazard, therefore if you go into a bunker expect a bad lie and
to be penalized. Bunkers were not designed to be easy to get out of hence they
are called a hazard.
To limit
your bad lies and help keep the bunkers in good order on any course you play
always enter and leave the bunker at the low point. Always rake the bunker sand
with the teeth of the bunker rake on the flat pan and then as you exit use the
toothless side to smooth the bank. If you use the teeth side of the rake on the
slopes it softens them and makes the sand vulnerable to balls plugging in.
USGA rules state (in summary) with
respect to bunkers:
1. Leave the course in the condition in which you would like to
find it.
2. When entering and exiting bunkers, always do so on the low side
away from the green.
Here is a great link on the proper
way to enter, rake and leave a bunker
