Linda,
An interesting situation [Ask Linda #516]. You are saying
that if I hit my ball from a sand bunker to out of bounds, I can immediately
take several practice swings into the sand, then rake the sand, and then drop
my provisional ball into the raked sand and then hit that provisional ball
without penalty except for stoke and distance. True? Or, do I rake the sand
after hitting the first ball, take a few post hit practice swings, then rake
the sand, then go forward to search and, not finding my ball in bounds, go
back, drop, and re-hit. Are both scenarios correct?
Lou
Dear Lou,
Yes, both scenarios are correct.
If a player has hit
his ball out of the hazard, he may rake the hazard and take several
practice swings that touch the sand. This holds true even if the next ball he
hits will be dropped in the area in the hazard that he raked [Decision 13-4/37;
Exception 2 to Rule 13-4]. It makes no difference if the next ball he hits is a
provisional or a ball hit under stroke and distance for a ball that is lost or
found out of bounds.
The ruling changes if the ball has been lifted out of the hazard and will subsequently be dropped or placed in the hazard. For
example, if you lift your ball out of casual water in the bunker, and drop it
at the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole in the bunker, you may not
rake the area where you will drop it. Nor would you be permitted to take
practice swings in the bunker.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
