Obstructions in bunkers

[lion]

Hi there,

hope someone can clear this query up for me.

At weekend one of my playing partners found his ball in a bunker resting against the rake. Nothing untoward there, lift rake and carry on. However, there was a loose twig/branch wrapped around the rake.

In moving the rake, this twig was also taken away. There was no way of moving the rake without moving this twig as well. Does the player still incur the appropriate penalty for moving an obstuction in a hazard, in this case losing the hole as it was matchplay???

Cheers

 

[Spuddy]

The loose impediment must be replaced. Decision 1-4/5 is the reference

FYI, There is no penalty for moving an obstruction in a hazard.

 

[duncan mackie]

In moving the rake, this twig was also taken away. There was no way of moving the rake without moving this twig as well. Does the player still incur the appropriate penalty for moving an obstuction in a hazard, in this case losing the hole as it was matchplay???

Cheers

Spuddy has provided the ruling reference -

after moving the rake the player must replace the loose impediment as near as possible to the spot where it originally lay. In this case that covers the fact that it may not be possible to replace it exactly without the rake still being there!

If the player fails to place the loose impediment as required then they would incur a penalty of LOH in matchplay or 2 strokes in strokeplay.

 

[lion]

Thanks both

Didnt matter to the result as he was out of the hole anyway !!