Player's Edition

•

•

Interpretations

Rule 12 - Bunkers

Purpose of Rule: Rule 12 is a specific Rule for bunkers, which are specially prepared areas intended to test your ability to play a ball from the sand. To make sure you confront this challenge, there are some restrictions on touching the sand before your stroke is made and on where relief may be taken for your ball in a bunker.

12.1 When Your Ball Is in Bunker

Your ball is in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: when any part of it touches sand on the ground inside the edge of the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker:.

Your ball is also in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: if it is inside the edge of the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: and rests:

If your ball lies on soil or grass or other growing or attached natural objects inside the edge of the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: without touching sand, your ball is not in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker:.

12.2 Playing Your Ball in Bunker

a. Removing Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions

Before playing your ball in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker:, you may remove loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) and movable obstructionsMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.(...Continued).

b. Restrictions on Touching Sand in Bunker

Before making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of your club made to strike the ball. at your ball in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker:, you must not:

Deliberately touch sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: with your hand, a club or rake or any other object to test the condition of the sand and learn information for your next strokeStroke: The forward movement of your club made to strike the ball., or
Touch sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: with your club:
- In the area right in front of or right behind your ball (except as allowed in fairly searching for your ball or in removing a loose impedimentLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) or movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.(...Continued)),
- In making a practice swing, or
- In making your backswing for a strokeStroke: The forward movement of your club made to strike the ball..

Except as covered in the two bullets above, the following actions are allowed:

Digging in with your feet to take a stanceStance: The position of your feet and body in preparing for and making your stroke. for a practice swing or the strokeStroke: The forward movement of your club made to strike the ball.,
Smoothing the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: to care for the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee. The boundary edge extends both up above the ground and down below the ground.,
Placing your clubs, equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by you or your caddie. Objects used for the care of the course, such as rakes, are equipment only while they are being held or carried by you or your caddie. or other objects in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker: (whether by throwing or setting them down),
Measuring, markingMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either placing a ball-marker right behind or right next to the ball, or holding a club on the ground right behind or right next to the ball., lifting, replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. or taking other actions under a Rule,
Leaning on a club to rest, stay balanced or prevent a fall, or
Striking the sand in frustration or anger.

But you get the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. if your actions in touching the sand improveImprove: To alter one or more of the conditions affecting your stroke or other physical conditions affecting your play so that you gain a potential advantage for your stroke. the conditions affecting your strokeConditions Affecting the Stroke: The lie of your ball at rest, the area of your intended stance, the area of your intended swing, your line of play and the relief area where you will drop or place a ball..

Penalty for Breach of Rule 12.2: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..

12.3 Specific Rules for Relief for Ball in Bunker

When your ball is in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil has been removed. These are not part of a bunker:, specific relief Rules may apply when you have interference by an abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: An animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction, or temporary water. (Rule 16.1c) or a dangerous animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans). condition (Rule 16.2), or when your ball is unplayable (Rule 19.3).