Linda,
One of the ladies in our league (age 65) used the
rake to balance herself getting into and out of the bunker. Another
player said that she gets a penalty for testing the sand with the rake. This
just doesn't sound right. I too have trouble getting into and out of some
of the hazards, and no one has ever mentioned such a rule.
Lulu from Minnesota
Dear Lulu,
A player is permitted to use a cane or a rake to enter or
leave a hazard. She is not breaching the rule against testing the condition of
the hazard [Decision 13-4/3.5]. If she were to take the rake and deliberately stick
it in the sand in order to test its condition, she would be subject to a
two-stroke penalty under Rule 13-4. The Rules allow for aging and its
accompanying diminishing of agility!
Linda
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