Rules - Stone in a bunker

[bluetoon]

Ok another rules question.
A stone is in the bunker with your ball and you will hit the stone before making contact with your ball. this particular stone is the size of your thumbnail ie big enough to fly and hit someone.

Can you remove it?.
Should you remove it?
Is it an impediment or an obstruction?.
Does it matter the size of said stone?.

Your thoughts gents

 

[fundy]

Stones in bunkers are usually covered by a local rule if removable. At my home club you may remove them, at some others Ive played you cant

 

[Twire]

Stones in bunkers are covered by local rule only. Look on the back of your scorecard.

 

[CMAC]

local rules apply- on back of card- most allow movable obstructions bit it depends on the sand they use so check LOCAL rule first, if it doesnt say then you have to play it as it lies

 

[Twire]

bugger to late...

 

[StuartD]

Yep that's correct, usually covered in a local rule

Can't for the life of me remember if we can remove them at my club as i never go in them

 

[Mattyboy]

I think the rule is:

Anything unatural can be removed (fag buts, bottle tops etc).
Anything natural cannot be removed (stones, leaves, twigs).

As has been said, theres often a local rule allowing the removal of stones only.

I think someone got done in Japan a while back (Faldo?) as stones were not covered in the local rules.