Bunker Rules (Touching the Sand)
Also known as: bunker rules, ground the club in a bunker, grounding the club in a bunker, touching the sand in a bunker, practice swing in a bunker, testing the sand in a bunker
In a bunker you must not touch the sand with your club right in front of or behind the ball. You also must not touch it in a practice swing, in your backswing, or on purpose to test it. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play or loss of the hole in match play.
Rule 12.2b sets out what is not allowed before your stroke from a bunker. You must not test the surface on purpose with your hand, club, rake or anything else. With the club, you must not touch the area right in front of or right behind the ball. Nor may the club touch down in a practice swing or in your backswing.
You may dig your feet in to take your stance and lean on a club to rest or keep your balance. You may smooth the bunker to care for the course, set clubs down in it and remove loose impediments and movable obstructions. Hitting the ground in frustration is not a penalty in itself. None of these actions may improve the conditions for your stroke, such as flattening the area behind the ball.
Once your ball is out, you may rake and touch the bunker freely. That holds even if you might have to drop back into it later. If the shot stays in, the restrictions apply again. Penalty areas work differently. Since 2019 you may ground your club there, as in the general area.
Tips by skill level
Hover the club just above the surface at address. Make your practice swings outside the bunker.
Feel how firm the bunker is through your feet as you dig in for your stance. Digging in is allowed and tells you a lot about the shot.
Example
In a greenside bunker, a golfer takes a practice swing beside the ball and brushes the sand. That costs two strokes in stroke play. On her next bunker shot she makes her practice swings outside the bunker.
Why it matters
Brushing the surface by accident is an easy penalty to pick up without noticing. Knowing what is allowed lets you set up with confidence.
Common mistakes
- Resting the club behind the ball at address
- Taking a practice swing that brushes the surface
- Clipping the sand in the backswing with a low takeaway
- Smoothing the area behind the ball before playing
Frequently asked questions
Can I ground my club in a bunker?
No. Your club may not touch the sand right in front of or behind the ball, in a practice swing or in your backswing. The penalty is two strokes, or loss of the hole in match play.
Can I take a practice swing in a bunker?
Yes, as long as the club does not touch the sand. Touching it in a practice swing costs the general penalty.
Can I dig my feet into the sand in a bunker?
Yes. Digging in with your feet to take a stance is allowed. You may also lean on a club to keep your balance.
Can I ground my club in a penalty area?
Yes. Since 2019 you may ground your club and remove loose impediments in a penalty area. The bunker restrictions do not apply there.
Sources
Related terms
- Bunker ShotA bunker shot is any stroke played from a sand hazard. The two families play nothing alike: greenside, where the club never touches the ball, and fairway, where clean ball-first contact is the whole objective.
- Greenside Bunker TechniqueGreenside bunker technique uses an open stance and face. The club enters the sand a few inches behind the ball and never touches the ball on a good shot.
- Fairway Bunker TechniqueFairway bunker technique puts clean, ball-first contact ahead of distance. It uses a slightly narrower stance, a more level swing, and often one extra club.
- Loose ImpedimentsLoose impediments are unattached natural objects such as leaves, twigs, stones and loose grass, and you may move them without penalty. That applies anywhere on the course, including bunkers and penalty areas. But if moving one makes your ball move, you get one penalty stroke and must replace the ball. The exception is a ball on the putting green or teeing area, where there is no penalty.
- Raking BunkersAfter playing from a bunker, smooth your footprints and the mark from your shot with the rake. Then leave the rake where the course asks. Policies differ between courses. If your ball comes to rest against a rake, remove the rake and replace the ball without penalty if it moves.
- Explosion ShotAn explosion or splash shot is a standard greenside bunker shot. The club slides under the ball in a spray of sand, lifting the ball out without touching it.
Related guides & benchmarks
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