Rakes in or out?

[Slab]

Case by case basis I'd say. None of our bunkers are very wide front to back and so it is easy to throw or drop the rake in the bunker without making a mess. It really isn't difficult.

So now we have different places to leave the rake depending on bunker size. I agree still not difficult but you can see why your positioning might seem idiotic and be viewed as stupid, careless or unthinking by those following

 

[Khamelion]

We've now got rake stands, comb end in the bunker, shank end out.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

We've now got rake stands, comb end in the bunker, shank end out.

That clears it up. No wondering when you see one of those stands.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It's not ridiculous at all. What IS ridiculous is where some rakes are dumped outside of the bunker.

A rake in the middle of a bunker might stop a ball - but it'll stop it in the middle. No issues for us club golfers. Now for pro's I can see that a case could be made that a ball entering a bunker should find it's own end point - and hence no rakes IN bunkers.

But for club golfers having a rake in the middle stopping our ball in the middle should be OK for everyone, as the benefit or drawback will even out over the piece - and will be consistent,

Sorry - I should have prefaced my post with - I beg to disagree...

 

[guest100718]

Could you justify this statement? I find it more obvious to leave the rake in the bunker, where it can't prevent a ball from entering said bunker. Why would you think the opposite is obvious?

Its what the R&A reccomend.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Its what the R&A reccomend.

I would suggest that they have made this recommendation on the basis that it is the only approach that takes into account every size, shape and form of bunker. So for instance - leaving a rake IN a small pot bunker might be completely impractical and prone to unfairness through balls being trapped against a very steep side.

And so the R&A go for the recommendation that is independent of the bunker, sorted. Doesn't make it the best solution - but it is the only one that can apply in all circumstances.

 

[needmoreclub]

I always put the rake back in the middle of the bunker, that way, if it does stop the ball, it'll stop it in the middle of the bunker.

Yip, agreed.

 

[IanM]

it is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball."

....was the email our committee sent out at the start of the season...

 

[Foxholer]

Here's the complete text of the R&A Decision - to the question...Should rakes be placed in or outside bunkers?

<Start Answer>
There is not a perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside bunkers.

It may be argued that there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into or kept out of a bunker if the rake is placed outside the bunker. It could also be argued that if the rake is in the bunker it is most unlikely that the ball will be deflected out of the bunker.

However, in practice, players who leave rakes in bunkers frequently leave them at the side which tends to stop a ball rolling into the flat part of the bunker, resulting in a much more difficult shot than would otherwise have been the case. This is most prevalent at a course where the bunkers are small. When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the bunker and the player must proceed under Rule 24-1, it may not be possible to replace the ball on the same spot or find a spot in the bunker which is not nearer the hole – see Decision 20-3d/2.

If rakes are left in the middle of the bunker the only way to position them is to throw them into the bunker and this causes damage to the surface. Also, if a rake is in the middle of a large bunker it is either not used or the player is obliged to rake a large area of the bunker resulting in unnecessary delay.

Therefore, after considering all these aspects, it is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball.

Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed.

<End Answer>

So certainly far from 'definitive'!

I can remember an incident where Laura Davies's hot run in a tournament was brought to a stunning halt when her tee shot was deflected into a bunker by a poorly placed rake (that was outside the bunker), so simply saying 'outside is best' doesn't hold water for me!

 

[chrisd]

Out for me

 

[jim8flog]

The main reason for leaving rakes either in the bunker or just the very tip of the handle just outside of the edge of the bunker (our preferred method) is because it saves the greenstaff having to get off the mower to move the rake when mowing round the edge of the bunker.

When you add up the time it adds about half hour to an hour to a greenkeepers work load if they have to move every single rake before mowing.

 

[hines57]

End of handle out of bunker, rake-head in the sand

Very slim chance of a ball being prevented from falling in and players don't have to traipse into the centre just to get the rake and having extra footprints to rake that're nowhere near the ball

+1 on this option!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd prefer not to see rakes at all and make a hazard a proper hazard!! At the moment I just leave the head in and the handle out on the side I've entered/exited the sand from

 

[jim8flog]

I'd prefer not to see rakes at all and make a hazard a proper hazard!! At the moment I just leave the head in and the handle out on the side I've entered/exited the sand from

That reminds me of playing in a pro am when I was a bit younger than I am now.

I walked up to a bunker to find my ball 4 inches below the surface in the bottom of a footprint. "How do I play that?" I asked the pro. " 'Insert Well known swear word here' if I know" came the reply and he walked off.

 

[drdel]

IN - as per R&A.

Note to self - GET OUT MORE!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

That reminds me of playing in a pro am when I was a bit younger than I am now.

I walked up to a bunker to find my ball 4 inches below the surface in the bottom of a footprint. "How do I play that?" I asked the pro. " 'Insert Well known swear word here' if I know" came the reply and he walked off.

To be honest some clubs I've played, the bunkers haven't been raked anyway so it's become a regular challenge in the last few years. I don't know if there's a decline in etiquette or its laziness but it does make it a challenge

 

[Hobbit]

Don't care, can't remember the last time I hit a rake...years ago I guess.

 

[Fish]

Ours as of this year for the first time are out! We have the little fishing rod rests and we even have a white line on the grass where the rake gets positioned so we have some consistency.

 

[guest100718]

IN - as per R&A.

Note to self - GET OUT MORE!

randa say out.

 

[rosecott]

IN - as per R&A.

Note to self - GET OUT MORE!

Why post nonsense ? Have you read the thread ?