Rule #12 – Bunker

Know the rules with M&M – Rule #12: Bunker

Changes were made to this rule in the 2019 edition of the Rules of Golf. Let’s begin by understanding when your ball is in a bunker;

Rule 12.1 states a ball is in a bunker when any part of the ball;

• Touches sand on the ground inside the edge of the bunker, or
• Is inside the edge of the bunker and rests;
• On ground where sand normally would be (such as where sand was blown or washed away by wind or water), or
• In or on a loose impediment, movable obstruction, abnormal course condition or integral object that touches sand in the bunker or is on ground where sand normally would be

You are now able to touch or move loose impediments in a bunker and generally touch the sand with a hand or club. However, you still must not deliberately touch it to test its condition. Practice swings (impacting the surface of the sand) and grounding the club at address or on the backswing remain prohibited.

The challenge of bunkers is meant to test the skill of playing from sand but not to be unnecessarily tested by pine cones, twigs or other loose impediments or moveable obstructions. The restrictions remaining under this rule ensure the intended test is not diminished in any manner.

Prior to 2019, when taking unplayable relief from a bunker, you had 3 options:

• Stroke and distance option (1 on diagram) of the unplayable ball Rule
• Drop back of the line (2) within the bunker or
• Drop within two club-lengths (3) no closer to the hole and having to drop within the bunker

All at the cost of one penalty stroke.

In 2019, a fourth (4) option allows you to drop back of the line outside of the bunker, but under penalty of two strokes.

This fourth option will help those faced with shots they find too difficult to play to better manage their round. Previously, if you played a bunker shot and the ball remained in the bunker, there was no option to then drop outside of the bunker. The 2019 version of the rule ensures you always have the option to drop outside of the bunker, but at the cost of an additional penalty stroke.

As always, we hope you have a great week on the links and wish you straight drives and one putts.

Next week, we will review another defined area of the course – The Putting Green.

Until then,

Mario Paradis & Michael Alderman