Another Rules Question

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
If you knock the ball out of bounds from a fairway bunker are you allowed to rake the bunker before you drop your ball. Came up on sunday and have got different answers cant seem to find it on line on the rules of golf. I said yes you would be allowed to rake the bunker because if you had hit the ball and not played a provisional you would have rakes the bunker before going to look for the ball.
Mike

 

[muttleee]

Yes. Rule 13-4 says:

"After making the stroke, if the ball is still in the hazard or has been lifted from the hazard and may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard, provided nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to his next stroke. If the ball is outside the hazard after the stroke, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard without restriction."

 

[Region3]

Do you have to drop in a bunker, or can you place it?

Unless you can drop it on a slope you're going to have a fried egg every time.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

As I understand it yes you do. As far as I know the only time you get to place is on the fairway or if the terrain prevents you from dropping in the correct place. Happy to be educated otherwise though.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

At the moment probably 270 with driver & 240 with 3-wood so I'm happy with that.

 

[Leftie]

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Weird, no idea how that happened? Must have clicked the wrong thread accidentally

 

[Losttheplot]

Quite ironic, I was discussing this with a mate the other week and we were both not 100% sure if you could rake and then drop. We thought it was unfair to have to drop in the bunker which could give you a far worse lie. Then again it serves me right for going in there in the first place.