Thursday, May 24, 2012

JHGTC Tip of the Week #2


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


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