Golf Rules Question?

Question

Whenever my friend hits his ball into a bunker, he smooths out the sand behind the ball with his foot. I tell him that he's cheating but he claims that its legal because he's not moving the ball. Can anyone find a rule that states if you can or cannot do this? Thx.

Answer 1

Cant do it...its against the rules.  By doing this you are actually "testing the conditions of the hazard"  which is not allowed.  It could also be considred improving your lie, which is illegal in any situation, not just the bunkers.

Answer 2

You cannot improve your lie by removing or pressing down sand, loose soil, etc.. USGA Rule 13.2 will explain in detail.

Answer 3

You are not allowed to touch or move the ball or sand in a bunker unless one of these conditions applies:

Your ball is in standing water in the bunker. In this case the ball may be moved to the nearest point of relief from the water but must remain in the bunker.

Your ball lies in the bunker and there are leaves and rocks around it. In this case, you may move and remove the rocks and loose impediments WITHOUT moving the ball.  If the ball is sitting on a leaf or something you're SOL.

You cannot ground your club or "test" the sand before the stroke. this means you cannot rest your club on the sand when  you address the ball, you may not make a "practice stroke" through the sand, and you may not rake or otherwise move the sand other than shuffle your feet into position when taking your stance. Kicking or swiping the sand is not allowed.

You may move and replace the ball if you need to see who it belongs to and every effort has been made to identify it without moving.

The short version, combing, raking, smoothing, piling, moving, blowing, kicking the sand is not allowed.

Answer 4

You are correct.  You cannot make any adjustments to the bunker until after the shot has been played.  I don't know which rule it is, but it is definitely a rule.

Answer 5

Thats the easiest question of the day! Duh!

Answer 6

You are correct. Tell him to take a one stroke penalty for adjusting an Unplayable lie. You are right. He is not. Don't play this friend for money. he is a cheat. and doesn't deserve your money

Answer 7

No smoothin', no touchin', no nothin'.  Get in  there and hit it....if you can.

Don't know the actual rule number right off hand, but I can tell you this....tell him to put a few $$$ where his mouth is and I'll find the rule, quickly.

Answer 8

It is illegal to do anything to the trap before you hit out of it..also, you are not allowed to take the rake into the trap with you, before you hit the ball...a lot of golfers do not know that rule...but I would call your friend on the smoothing of the trap before hitting and have him take the penalty stroke...

Answer 9

A player cannot test the conditions within a hazard as explained in rule 13-4touch the ground or water with his hand or his club, or touch or move any loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard. Penalty in Match Play is loss of hole. Penalty in stroke play is two strokes. I would get the abbreviated rules of golf from the USGA for your buddy. He needs a little reading matter on etiquette.