Another sandy question

[hopeful]

You have to stand in a bunker to play your ball which is resting on the grass just outside the trap....are you allowed to ground your club? There is just such an incident in "How We Won the Ryder Cup, the Caddies Stories" where it says some thing like ..."the guy is standing in the bunker so he can't ground his club...." but I can't remember exactly where & it'd be a bit tedious to flip through every page. The Rules of Golf isn't any help on it's own although I guess there is a ruling buried somewhere.

 

[forefortheday]

I would guess (awaits the screaming g's as he's shot down in flames) that as the ball isn't in the hazard no penalty would apply?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm pretty certain it is the location of the ball in relation to the course that is the guiding principle and so if the ball is outside the margin of the bunker he can ground the club. Similarly if a ball is adjacent to OB but still within the confines of the course you are allowed to stand OB and play the shot

 

[USER1999]

In much the same way as you can stand outside the tee box and drive, provided your ball is within the markers.

 

[intherough]

I agree with the others. No penalty as the ball isn't in the hazard.

 

[Cernunnos]

In much the same way as you can stand outside the tee box and drive, provided your ball is within the markers.

Never feelright trying that. I'ts like the the tee markers are seriously invading my personal space. Same as I can't have the marker anywhere near my heels. Always need to see the markers in my periferal vision, & not too close to either my heels or the clubhead or ball. I know its a psycological thing, but I really prefer to keep my Karma satisfied, no matter how silly it may seem to some. So for me no standing outside the box even if it is allowed.


BTW, coming back onto topic, no penalty for grounding as the ball is the important issue even if stood in the bunker.

 

[backwoodsman]

Rule 13.4 "Ball in Hazard - Prohibited actions" is the one that dishes out penalties for hazards and therefore, as others have said, ball is not in it, so no penalty.

But - beware. Do not rake the bunker till you are sure where your shot ends up. If it lands in a bunker elsewhere, then you will be penalised if you did rake it - if you remember, like Cink did about a year ago (he didn't realise he had to add the penalty for having "tested the surface", so signed for a wrong lower score and ended up DQ)