Rule 12 - Bunkers

(1) When Touching Sand Results in Penalty. Before making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) at a ball in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), a player must not:

• Deliberately touch sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) with a hand, club, rake or other object to test the condition of the sand to learn information for the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), or

• Touch sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) with a club:

  • In the area right in front of or right behind the ball (except as allowed under Rule 7.1a in fairly searching for a ball or under Rule 12.2a in removing a loose impedimentLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) or movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course.(...Continued)),

  • In making a practice swing, or

  • In making the backswing for a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).

See Rule 25.2f (modification of Rule 12.2b(1) for players who are blind); Rules 25.4l (application of Rule 12.2b(1) for players who use assistive mobility device).

(2) When Touching Sand Does Not Result in Penalty. Except as covered by (1), this Rule does not prohibit the player from touching sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) in any other way, including:

• Digging in with the feet to take a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) for a practice swing or the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued),

• Smoothing the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) to care for the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued),

• Placing clubs, equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) or other objects in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) (whether by throwing or setting them down),

• Measuring, markingMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued), lifting, replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) or taking other actions under a Rule,

• Leaning on a club to rest, stay balanced or prevent a fall, or

• Striking the sand in frustration or anger.

But the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. if their actions in touching the sand improveImprove: To alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke or other physical conditions affecting play so that a player gains a potential advantage for a stroke. the conditions affecting the strokeConditions Affecting the Stroke: The lie of the player’s ball at rest, the area of intended stance, the area of intended swing, the line of play and the relief area where the player will drop or place a ball. in breach of Rule 8.1a. (See also Rules 8.2 and 8.3 for limitations on improvingImprove: To alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke or other physical conditions affecting play so that a player gains a potential advantage for a stroke. or worsening other physical conditions to affect play.)

(3) No Restrictions After Ball Is Played Out of Bunker. After a ball in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) is played and it is outside the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), or a player has taken or intends to take relief outside the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), the player may: 

• Touch sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) without penalty under Rule 12.2b(1), and

• Smooth sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) to care for the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) without penalty under Rule 8.1a.

This is true even if the ball comes to rest outside the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) and:

• The player is required or allowed by the Rules to take stroke-and-distanceStroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).(...Continued) relief by droppingDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) a ball in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), or

• The sand in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) is on the player’s line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends their ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line.(...Continued) for the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) from outside the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued).

But if the ball played from the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) comes back into the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), or the player takes relief by droppingDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) a ball in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), or the player decides not to take relief outside the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued), the restrictions in Rules 12.2b(1) and 8.1a again apply to that ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:(...Continued) in the bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued).

Penalty for Breach of Rule 12.2: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..