Ask Linda #157-More hazard questions

Dear Linda,
Yesterday a player was in a sand bunker and did not get out on her first try. She then leaned on her club while standing in the bunker. Isn’t that a no-no?
Also, I believe that you can swipe the very top of any grass, etc., when taking a practice swing in a hazard, but that you can't ground your club. And if you do not get out of the hazard and ground your club while standing in that hazard, is that a penalty?
I also have a question about Ask Linda #154-Throwing club in bunker. I don’t understand why there is no penalty for throwing the club into the sand. I thought nothing should touch the sand until you hit your shot.
Thanks,
Lulu

Dear Lulu,

You are correct, Lulu, in thinking that it is a “no-no” to lean on your club or ground your club in a bunker or water hazard. Either action is a violation of Rule 13-4b. Under that rule you are not permitted to touch the ground in a hazard with your club prior to making a stroke [Decision 13-4/2]. The penalty is loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play.

You are also correct in thinking that you will not incur a penalty for a practice swing in a water hazard that touches the top of the grass, since you have not grounded your club [Decision 13-4/4]. However, you will be penalized if such a swing improves your lie, area of intended stance or swing, or your line of play. Such practice swings should be taken with great care at a respectable distance from your ball.

In Ask Linda #154 I explained that there is no penalty for throwing your club in anger in a bunker even though your ball is still in the bunker. Throwing a club, while not an encouraged behavior, is equivalent to placing a club in a bunker. You are permitted to enter a bunker with several clubs (or even your whole bag!), put them all down, and select one to use [Rule 13-4, Exception 1b]. Bringing several clubs with you into a bunker can be a significant time-saver.

Linda

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