Ask Linda #154-Throwing club in bunker

Dear Linda,
A player is in the bunker, hits the shot poorly and the ball stays in the trap. He then throws the club down into the trap in anger. Since the ball is still in the bunker, is this a penalty for grounding his club?
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

This is not a penalty as long as the lie of the ball is not improved. It falls under the exception that allows a player to place his clubs in a hazard [Rule 13-4. Exception 1b].

Linda

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