PJ87
Journeyman Pro
I find leaving them on the course is the best idea. Whenever I try and take one home with me the green keepers get the hump
Rakes. Where to leave them
- Thread starter Petercool
- Start date
Orikoru
Tour Winner
That feels less likely, as there is less area of rake to hit if it's just the head in there.
If we're leaving rakes outside the bunker, I'll lay it right across the front and hopefully do someone a favour. I'm nice like that.
Pathetic Shark
Tour Rookie
How about just ignore the rakes completely? A bunch of our seniors seem to think that is the acceptable way.
Being serious, there is no perfect option - each has its positives and negatives. But if a club has specified what they want done, then you adhere to that guidance. My own club has small stands on the edge of the sand for the rake handle with the rake itself inside the bunker. Then it does not get stopped at the very edge.
Being serious, there is no perfect option - each has its positives and negatives. But if a club has specified what they want done, then you adhere to that guidance. My own club has small stands on the edge of the sand for the rake handle with the rake itself inside the bunker. Then it does not get stopped at the very edge.
hambugerpete
Active member
Yeah of course ! Although not sure I've ever hit one outside a bunker.That feels less likely, as there is less area of rake to hit if it's just the head in there.
If we're leaving rakes outside the bunker, I'll lay it right across the front and hopefully do someone a favour. I'm nice like that.
timd77
Assistant Pro
Twice last year my ball got caught in the rake head, the rake was half in half out, so the ball was halfway on a slope. This meant I had an awkward stance (1 foot out 1 in type thing) and a downhill lie. One got skulled over the back of the green OOB and the other hit the lip and rolled back in. Infuriating. For that reason I prefer fully in the bunker so that if it does catch the ball at least you’ve got a reasonable lie.
bobmac
Major Champion
What are the negatives of 2/3rds in, 1/3 out please?
Backache
Assistant Pro
In steep sided pot bunkers the rake may not reach the bottom and trap the ball on the down slope.
This is not a criticism of its common use but which is how I often leave them but its not suitable for all bunkers.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
If the ball roll up against the rake it has the potential to be very close to the lip as opposed ti rolling into the middle
bobmac
Major Champion
Leave the handle on the steps or slope if it's that steep
Dunesman
Active member
In your bag.
Culture change. Short rake with hinging end for storage. Everyone carries their own. No rake with you, no play for you.
No rakes neither on the grass nor on the sand.
Culture change. Short rake with hinging end for storage. Everyone carries their own. No rake with you, no play for you.
No rakes neither on the grass nor on the sand.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
I would go a step further and say no rakes at all. This would make bunkers a proper hazard and not a bale out area for good players.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Would make them an instant blob if you're me.
sjw
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure I've bounced off a rake by a greenside bunker onto the green before. I therefore vote for outside and in front of the bunkers!
Swango1980
Well-known member
Just get rid of rakes.
Try and avoid bunkers. And, if you go in one, deal with whatever lie you are faced with. Sometimes you'll be lucky, sometimes not so much.
I know it is an option that will never be considered, but just throwing that one into the mix again (as has been done in other similar threads).
Otherwise, if there is no specific club policy, I leave mine in the front end (shallow) part of the punker, perpendicular to the face, and handle popping out towards grass. Easy for anyone else to retrieve without having to walk into the bunker, and if the ball does get stopped by the head, it is far enough into the bunker for the player to still have a shot forwards.
Try and avoid bunkers. And, if you go in one, deal with whatever lie you are faced with. Sometimes you'll be lucky, sometimes not so much.
I know it is an option that will never be considered, but just throwing that one into the mix again (as has been done in other similar threads).
Otherwise, if there is no specific club policy, I leave mine in the front end (shallow) part of the punker, perpendicular to the face, and handle popping out towards grass. Easy for anyone else to retrieve without having to walk into the bunker, and if the ball does get stopped by the head, it is far enough into the bunker for the player to still have a shot forwards.
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Preference based on circumstance/who you ask
Rakes left outside mean GK’s stopping the cutting to get off/on mower to move a rake left outside. Fine for one hole but if your course has a lot of rakes… I suspect that’s why clubs prefer the ‘in the bunker’ option
Although as a player I prefer outside on the side furthest from fairway and not near the area a ball would typically enter a bunker
Rakes left outside mean GK’s stopping the cutting to get off/on mower to move a rake left outside. Fine for one hole but if your course has a lot of rakes… I suspect that’s why clubs prefer the ‘in the bunker’ option
Although as a player I prefer outside on the side furthest from fairway and not near the area a ball would typically enter a bunker
hambugerpete
Active member
I dont buy the greenkeeper stuff. You could easily have some kind of grabber to pick them up with out getting off your mower. After all there are flags , tee markers , seed bins and all sorts that need moving.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
And if the Green keeper doesn't spot a rake?
It could completely knacker 50k worth of machinery...
We have 69 bunkers, probably 25 of them have 2 or more rakes..that's a lot of time moving rakes so you don't run over them...
Not sure of the last time a mower cut up a rake that was in a bunker......
hambugerpete
Active member
And if he doesn't see a tee marker? Sorry it's a nonsense excuse because many courses ask for rakes to be outside the bunker and manage just fine. Even the R&A recommend outside.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
Ours are left in the bunker, thats the clubs instructions. The logic being if they are in the sand, and your ball hits it you are already in the bunker. Left outside on half in half out, theres a risk of being deflected into the bunker.
I’m either for in the middle of the bunker, or completely out of it. There’s nothing worse than your ball rolling into a bunker only to get caught a foot from the back lip by a rake.
