Where to leave bunker rakes?

[delc]

We have just have an edict from our Club Captain that rakes must be left outside bunkers. I thought this created the problem of shots hitting the rakes and being deflected into the bunker when otherwise they wouldn't have been. My view is that rakes should be left in bunkers with the handles resting on the lip, so that you can retrieve them without entering the bunker and making footprints. Is there any official R&A or EGU guidance on this issue, and what are your views?

 

[Hobbit]

If you use the search function you'll find there was an excellent discussion on the subject, including a poll in March of this year.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

We have just have an edict from our Club Captain that rakes must be left outside bunkers. I thought this created the problem of shots hitting the rakes and being deflected into the bunker when otherwise they wouldn't have been. My view is that rakes should be left in bunkers with the handles resting on the lip, so that you can retrieve them without entering the bunker and making footprints. Is there any official R&A or EGU guidance on this issue, and what are your views?

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?83481-Etiquette-(Bunker-rake-poll)&highlight=Rakes

 

[delc]

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?83481-Etiquette-(Bunker-rake-poll)&highlight=Rakes

That thread doesn't entirely answer my question, as it refers to the club's preferred position.

 

[Slab]

My view is that you should do what the club have instructed you to do regardless of your own preference until such time that you can convince the club to amend their stated position re rake placement

 

[MashieNiblick]

Try here

http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/features/the-game/rakes-in-or-out-golfs-great-debate-66848

Decision referred to can also be found here

http://www.randa.org/Rules-of-Golf/Appendices/MISCELLANEOUS#alldecisions

 

[masterosouffle]

That thread doesn't entirely answer my question, as it refers to the club's preferred position.

The R&A's preferred position is stated in the thread...

 

[louise_a]

I think they should be left in the middle of the bunker, that way they do not effect whether or not the ball goes into the bunker.

 

[Slab]

Just becasue this has 10 pages written all over it here's the R&A text from the above link:


Q.

Should rakes be placed in or outside bunkers?

A.

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.

 

[KenL]

Clubs should do what the R&A suggests I'd best practice.

 

[delc]

Clubs should do what the R&A suggests I'd best practice.

So where and in what orientation outside the bunker is the best place to leave rakes?

 

[Hobbit]

So where and in what orientation outside the bunker is the best place to leave rakes?

It's subjective. What's right for Joe isn't right for Fred.

Truthfully, does it really matter? How often in the last 5 years has it caused any one of us a problem? I think I have had a problem once in 5 years.

 

[chrisd]

So where and in what orientation outside the bunker is the best place to leave rakes?

Personally I prefer rakes to be half in the bunker or not in at all. I can't see the argument, good or bad, of a ball hitting a rake. A ball can hit trees, sprinkler heads, seats, flag poles etc etc etc and where said ball comes to rest can be beneficial or otherwise, it's just rub of the green. However I hate it when someone lobs the rake in the bunker nowhere near where my ball is and I have to rake virtually the entire bunker as a result.

 

[KenL]

So where and in what orientation outside the bunker is the best place to leave rakes?

In a place least likely to deflect a ball.
Generally on the left hand side of a bunker on the left of a hole, the rear side of a greenside bunker etc.

 

[KenL]

It's subjective. What's right for Joe isn't right for Fred.

Truthfully, does it really matter? How often in the last 5 years has it caused any one of us a problem? I think I have had a problem once in 5 years.

Once you have had a ball stopped near the lip of a bunker by a rake meaning you have no shot to the green and have to come out backwards you will prefer rakes outside of bunkers.

At my club we have rakes with the head held up on little stands. These are great but you still get people who chuck the rakes in bunkers.

 

[delc]

In a place least likely to deflect a ball.
Generally on the left hand side of a bunker on the left of a hole, the rear side of a greenside bunker etc.

Presumably with the shafts aligned with the normal direction of play to present the smallest possible target. I have had shots deflected into bunkers or into tricky lies by rakes and it's rather annoying!

 

[Hosel Fade]

My thought is handle on the lip, head inside the bunker 90* to line of play

The R&A method sounds a bit of a faff on to get the rake from ages away and return it there to be honest

 

[delc]

My thought is handle on the lip, head inside the bunker 90* to line of play

The R&A method sounds a bit of a faff on to get the rake from ages away and return it there to be honest

Why at 90 degrees to the line of play? You are much more likely to hit the handle of the rake in this orientation. My preferred method is to place the head of the rake in the bunker with the end of the handle resting on the lip, with the handle aligned to the general direction of play so as to present the smallest possible target.

 

[virtuocity]

Why at 90 degrees to the line of play? You are much more likely to hit the handle of the rake in this orientation. My preferred method is to place the head of the rake in the bunker with the end of the handle resting on the lip, with the handle aligned to the general direction of play so as to present the smallest possible target.

Have a coffee and a biscuit. Much more fun. Try it.

 

[fowlero]

Why at 90 degrees to the line of play? You are much more likely to hit the handle of the rake in this orientation. My preferred method is to place the head of the rake in the bunker with the end of the handle resting on the lip, with the handle aligned to the general direction of play so as to present the smallest possible target.

As above:thup: having the head of the rake in the bunker and the end of the handle on the lip is the best way to limit being penalised by hitting a rake, and if it does rest up against the head of the rake then at least it's not right up against the lip and you have a shot