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**Mox** · 02-09-2009, 02:39 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

While there aren't any official rules about rake placement, there are rules of thumb and guidelines provided by the USGA in Decision Misc./2.

The USGA states in that decision:

"There is not a perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside of bunkers."

"It may be argued that there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into or kept out of a bunker if the rake is placed outside the bunker. It could also be argued that if the rake is in the bunker it is most unlikely that the ball will be deflected out of the bunker.

"However, in practice, players who leave rakes in bunkers frequently leave them at the side which tends to stop a ball rolling into the flat part of the bunker, resulting in a much more difficult shot than would otherwise have been the case. This is most prevalent at a course where the bunkers are small. When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the bunker and the player must proceed under Rule 24-1, it may not be possible to replace the ball on the same spot or find a spot in the bunker which is not nearer the hole - see Decision 20-3d/2."

"If rakes are left in the middle of the bunker the only way to position them is to throw them into the bunker and this causes damage to the surface. Also, if a rake is in the middle of a large bunker it is either not used or the player is obliged to rake a large area of the bunker resulting in unnecessary delay.

"Therefore, after considering all these aspects, it is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball."

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America further recommends that rakes outside the bunker be placed laying flat on the ground (tines up) and parallel to the hole's direction of play.

So: Follow the guidelines in place at the golf course or in place for your tournament. If such guidelines are not in place, or you are unable to learn what they are, then place rakes outside bunkers, parallel to the direction of play on that hole.

Rakes at my club are constructed in such a way that balls can roll under them, except for at the rake end, and at the very end of the handle, where it is bent 90 degrees to touch the ground. That minimizes the problem.

**aaa** · 02-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

Our rakes are placed on 15" high supports about 2 yards to the side or beyond the bunker. 2 or 3 rakes per bunker.

**LowPost42** · 02-09-2009, 04:20 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

I'm a 'leave it outside the bunker on the outside of the hole' kind of guy.

If your ball hits it there, then you've obviously missed your shot.

**Scragger63** · 02-09-2009, 11:28 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

My Club plays at a public course and as such, finding yourself in a bunker is rarely a good experience. More often than not, I have found my ball in old divots or foot marks.

Green Fee players, in my experience, rarely rake a bunker after they've had their 2-3 shots in getting out.

My post shot habit is to rake the pot as best I can and to leave the rake in the spot in the pot where I think it will least effect a ball entering. In a green side pot this is in the sand, as hard up against a lip as is practical. In a fairway pot, again, in the sand up against the lip closest to the tee box.

I'm also with LP in that if you're in the pot, in all likelihood, you haven't hit the previous shot as you intended.

As for the etiquette of it, you can only leave them as you wish to find them and hope your fellow golfers do the same.

Cheers

**aaa** · 02-10-2009, 09:26 AM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

The R&A says
..... in practice, players who leave rakes in bunkers frequently leave them at the side which tends to stop a ball rolling into the flat part of the bunker, resulting in a much more difficult shot than would otherwise have been the case. This is most prevalent at a course where the bunkers are small. When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the bunker and the player must proceed under Rule 24-1, it may not be possible to replace the ball on the same spot or find a spot in the bunker which is not nearer the hole — see Decision 20-3d/2.

This may result in a penalty.

**BrianW** · 02-10-2009, 03:56 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

At my club the local rule is that rakes must be left inside and at the side of bunkers parallel to the fairway, this way they leave a narrower target.

**GolfJunkieSr** · 02-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

I tend leave them off to the side of the bunker at a point farthest from the green/hole, so it will not be in the way of the line to the hole from the fairway. Of course when the bunker has multple rakes in it, I assume for the lazy, and/or speed of play, it becomes a **** shoot. GJS

**belucky** · 04-12-2009, 10:56 AM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

has the r&a made a ruling regarding where to leave the rake after use?

**aaa** · 04-18-2009, 06:47 AM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

Originally posted by belucky View Post

has the r&a made a ruling regarding where to leave the rake after use?

If you read the earlier post #2 you will see that the R&A / USGA have made a recommendation in Decision Misc 2

**Heymathison** · 04-24-2009, 02:20 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

"If rakes are left in the middle of the bunker the only way to position them is to throw them into the bunker and this causes damage to the surface. Also, if a rake is in the middle of a large bunker it is either not used or the player is obliged to rake a large area of the bunker resulting in unnecessary delay.

"Therefore, after considering all these aspects, it is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball."

This is the rule I follow... I see too many people look at a rake and realize it is in the center of the bunker and determine the footprints and divot that they have taken wasn't anything major or worth the walk and footprints it takes to get there and repair. If the rake had been outside of the bunker I believe more people would rake their mistakes...

This is only my opinion...

**GreeBoman** · 04-24-2009, 03:22 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

Originally posted by Heymathison View Post

I see too many people look at a rake and realize it is in the center of the bunker and determine the footprints and divot that they have taken wasn't anything major or worth the walk and footprints it takes to get there and repair. If the rake had been outside of the bunker I believe more people would rake their mistakes...

This is only my opinion...

Ah but if you are *that* type of person then if the rake is outside but on the other side you probably wont bother either.
I was at a club recently where they have tubes buried in the ground that you stand the rake in outside of the bunker. Seemed like a good idea and also less likely for the rakes to get broken (ours seem to break very frequently)

**Heymathison** · 04-24-2009, 04:15 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

Right, most people with poor bunker etiquette will only rake if their ball goes in right by a rake. I have also played courses that have the tube's buried in the ground. It's a good idea yes, but the only bad thing is when it rains and fills up with water, it then discourages people from using them and getting their hands wet. All we can do is bring it up anytime we see someone do it and hope they do the same!

**Neil18** · 04-24-2009, 05:25 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

Well if the "visiting patrons" of my course are to be used as an example, then bunker etiquette involves trundling in, taking 4 to get out, trundling out in a different direction and wondering what the rake is for.

I'm fed up with playing out of someone elses footprints. Although I'm getting quite good at it I've had to do so that often!

It ain't hard people! Rake it flat for God's sake, if not mine!

**bdbl** · 04-24-2009, 05:56 PM

Re: Bunker/Rake Etiquette

To tell the truth Neil I've played (subsidising the membership fees) at clubs where the members treat "visiting patrons" with the same level of casual contempt as you've shown in that post. Believe me from now on I'll take pleasure in leaving the bunkers in a mess. Might even forget to tuck me shirt in.

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