Bunker Rake Interference

There have been a few discussions regarding the "new" placement of our bunker rakes. Hearing your input and suggestions hear is what we have. The placement of a bunker rake, in, out, partially in and out can be the most discussed issue on a golf course. Like the placement of a pin, there is no set rule the USGA has for the placement of a bunker rake. The USGA simply makes suggestions on both of these issues. At Hartefeld, our bylaws state to the effect that a bunker rake is placed in the bottom of the bunker. Regardless of where a rake is placed, if it interferes with a ball USGA Rule 24-1 Obstructions will handle removing the rake a getting your ball back in play properly. Below I have extracted what I feel are the important segments of Rule 24-1, 20-2 and 20-3 required to put a golf ball back in play.

24-1. Movable Obstruction

A player may take relief, without penalty, from a movable obstruction as follows:

a. If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and there is no penalty, provided that the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the removal of the obstruction. Otherwise, Rule 18-2a applies.

b. If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted and the obstruction removed. The ball must through the green or in a hazardbe dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole.

The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.

When a ball is in motion, an obstruction that might influence the movement of the ball, other than equipment of any player or the flagstickwhen attended, removed or held up, must not be moved.

(Exerting influence on ball - see Rule 1-2.)

Note: If a ball to be dropped or placed under this Rule is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

20-2. Dropping and Re-Dropping

c. When to Re-Drop

(vi) rolls and comes to rest more than two club-lengths from where it first struck a part of the course; or

(vii) rolls and comes to rest nearer the hole than:

If the ball when re-dropped rolls into any position listed above, it must be placed as near as possible to the spot where it first struck a part of thecourse when re-dropped.

20-3. Placing and Replacing

d. Ball Fails to Come to Rest on Spot

If a ball when placed fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. If it still fails to come to rest on that spot:

(i) except in a hazard, it must be placed at the nearest spot where it can be placed at rest that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard;

(ii) in a hazard, it must be placed in the hazard at the nearest spot where it can be placed at rest that is not nearer the hole.

If a ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed, and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.