Ask Linda #143-Where to place rakes

Hi Linda,
I have a question you may have already answered.
Is there a rule concerning placement of the rake in or outside a bunker?
Thanks,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

While the USGA recommends that rakes be placed outside bunkers, there is no rule regarding their placement. The decision is left up to the golf course. If there are no instructions (written on the scorecard, spoken by the starter, printed on the rake handles), then take your cue from your kindergarten training – leave things as you find them.

That being said, you might want to exercise a bit of care in where you place the rake. If they are to be placed outside, then place them on the far side (the side away from the fairway or green); if they are to be placed inside, avoid placing them near the side of the bunker, where they might keep a ball from rolling to the flat part of the bunker and give a following golfer a more difficult shot than he deserved.

Linda

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