Don't just chuck it!

[hopeful]

Pet hate of mine....people who carelessly chuck the rake in to the middle of the bunker. So you have to traipse across to fetch it, meaning more raking and wet sand clings to the handle so you have to clean it off your glove. And what's really irritating, more often than not it's Sods Law that your ball clonks in to it so either it stops your ball from skipping out of the trap or halts it in a particularly awkward lie.
The rake should be replaced in the bunker with the handle pointing towards the hole, with just the end resting on the lip of the bunker, in which position it offers least chance of intefering with the run of the ball. Right?! Glad I got that off my chest, it cost me a crucial hole on Monday!

 

[RGuk]

Pet hate of mine....people who carelessly chuck the rake in to the middle of the bunker. So you have to traipse across to fetch it, meaning more raking and wet sand clings to the handle so you have to clean it off your glove. And what's really irritating, more often than not it's Sods Law that your ball clonks in to it so either it stops your ball from skipping out of the trap or halts it in a particularly awkward lie.
The rake should be replaced in the bunker with the handle pointing towards the hole, with just the end resting on the lip of the bunker, in which position it offers least chance of intefering with the run of the ball. Right?! Glad I got that off my chest, it cost me a crucial hole on Monday!

Blimey.....your hopeful.....

Can't agree mate, sorry, I put the rake in the place specified in the local/club rules. Other than that, I agree.

 

[Imurg]

Count yourself lucky that you've even got rakes. Probably a third of the bunkers on my course either don't have one or its broken.

 

[Herbie]

I love the trend at many clubs now where they stick the rake in a vertical position in a length of scaffolding pipe rammed in the bunker. I love it when the forgetful or unsuspecting player needs it and forgets the handle will be dripping wet from last nights shower.

Anyway Hopeful, you are lucky they put them back in the bunkers, Ive played on some courses where they dont have them!

 

[viscount17]

more room needed in the bag? rake, broom for the winter mats, leaf blower

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think this is one of those damned if you do scenario. Wherever you leave it (in the bunker, out the bunker or prongs in and handle out) someone is always going to get a bad bounce or fell hard done by.

I think the important thing is to make sure you do the job properly and get rid of the footprints. I'd rather hit the rake and be in a raked bunker than miss the rake and land in a poorly raked footprint

 

[Herbie]

more room needed in the bag? rake, broom for the winter mats, leaf blower

Just use great skill and avoid bunkers

 

[RGuk]

I'd rather hit the rake and be in a raked bunker than miss the rake and land in a poorly raked footprint

arghhhh!

I was about 2 over at the 8th t'other day and found my ball in the worlds deepest footprint. I begged for relied, but it was declined.....so I took a drop.....better than a trowel iron me thought.

 

[Smiffy]

I think this is one of those damned if you do scenario. Wherever you leave it (in the bunker, out the bunker or prongs in and handle out) someone is always going to get a bad bounce or fell hard done by.

I think the important thing is to make sure you do the job properly and get rid of the footprints. I'd rather hit the rake and be in a raked bunker than miss the rake and land in a poorly raked footprint

That sums it up

 

[DCB]

I think the current percieved wisdom from the greenkeepers assossiation is that the rake should be left out the bunker and placed lengthwise paralell to the direction the hole plays.

Biggest problem is getting people to rake the bunker properly.

 

[TWM]

I have the image in my mind of the person who has just taken seven shots to get out of the bunker, steam blowing out of his ears and can't get away quickly enough.
Doesn't help your problem though....

 

[USER1999]

Maybe they should do away with rakes altogether. It is meant to be a hazard after all. If the pro's had to play out of foot prints and such, then they wouldn't be aiming to be in the bunker rather than the rough. A bunker for a pro isn't a hazard at all.

I hate raking bunkers in the rain. It is miserable.

 

[ricardodaintino]

The rake is probably the piece of equipment I use most!

I'm considering reviewing it for the Nike competition!!!

 

[TonyN]

Funnily enough, I am hardly ever in bunkers. I must be lucky but I just never go in them really. Needless to say, if I do, I am crap at getting out. I normally get out first go but i will only be a foot away from the front.

I always rake the bunker and place the rake inside, at the side, facing forwards (head closest to hole and handle towards tee). I will put it at the side I feel the ball is less likely to travel towards.

Basically I put it where I think the ball wont hit it and if it does, It wont disturb its path too much.

My course has loadsa bunkers and hardly any rakes. The rakes they did had have been replaced with a 1 size fits all pair of wellies so you can retrieve your ball with out getting wet feet.

 

[Twire]

This is how we are asked to leave them..

http://www.edgc.co.uk/edgcitem.php?ID=73...von%20Specifics

 

[Smiffy]

The rake is probably the piece of equipment I use most!

I'm considering reviewing it for the Nike competition!!!

I've just had to get my ball retriever re-gripped

 

[rgs]

As homer said your are dammed no matter what you do.

As for the Pros i have always believed the bunkers should not be raked once the tournament starts. We would then see if they are great bunker players when on teh 72nd hOle needing an up & down to win from a horrible footprint dug deeper over the four days.

 

[toyboy54]

RGS..........good one,and so,so wicked!
Wouldn't that be a hoot!
Makes me feel better about my attempts at open face,close face,blast,scoop,pickup(and/pretend you weren't in there anyway!)

 

[Herbie]

There is some humour here but bunkers are important to rake properly and place the rake in a place that doesnt prevent a ball rolling in.

I have played in comps where other players or myself have fallen foul of the un-raked bunker, it can in some cases cost shots. All players should have equal chance in a comp and being in a deep heel mark in a bunker because someone didnt rake it isnt an equal chance. I get angry with those who cant be bothered even in a comp, to rake the bunker they have just been in.

There are three answers to this...1) Rake the bunker, or be disqualified...2) Bunkers NEVER raked..3) Get rid of bunkers.

More chance of a level playing field then.
One thing about some courses where you know people dont rake bunkers is that it makes you concentrate more on not going in them.

 

[Herbie]

In addition, you will find that generally people who dont rake bunkers are the same people who dont repair pitch marks and dont replace divots.

I remember following a comp at my last club and just on the general route I walked in my game, I replaced 54 divots (not counting my own) and repaired an average of 3 pitch marks per hole, just on the front 9! That means an awful lot of golfers couldnt be bothered and a lot more couldnt be bothered to tell them. Rounds like that are occasions where I actually have sympathy with high green fees.