What is a bunker in golf?
The bunker is an area of sand prepared specifically for that purpose, most often a depression from which the grass and soil have been removed. It is one of the five areas on the course defined by the Rules, with its own rules (Rule 12).
Do not not Part of the bunker: the lip, the wall, or the face made of dirt, grass, or piled clods, nor do natural, unprepared areas of sand, which are considered part of the general area. A ball is in the bunker as soon as it touches the sand within its edges.
Since 2019, the Rules no longer refer to 'obstacles“: the bunker is a separate area, and what used to be water hazards have become penalty areas.
Fairway bunker or green bunker: What's the difference?
- The Fairway Bunker runs alongside the fairway, often at drive distance. It is generally wider and shallower: the goal is to hit the ball far by striking it cleanly.
- The green bunker protects the green. Smaller and often deeper, it requires a precise chip shot to stop the ball near the hole.
What does Rule 12 say about the bunker?
What Is Permitted
- Remove debris (leaves, rocks, twigs) and removable obstructions, such as a rake—which was prohibited before 2019.
- Dig your feet into the sand to get into your stance.
- Lean on a club to rest or keep your balance.
- Placing your clubs or equipment in the bunker.
- Raking to maintain the course, without improving the conditions for one's shot.
What Is Prohibited Before Playing
- Deliberately touch the sand to test its texture.
- Hit the sand with the club just in front of or just behind the ball.
- Touching the sand with the club during a practice swing or on the upswing.
The penalty is the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play; loss of the hole in match play. Once the ball is out of the bunker, you may again touch and rake the sand freely.
Unplayable or obstructed ball in a bunker: What are your options?
| Location | Option | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Unplayable ball | Resume play from where you played the previous shot | 1 shot |
| Unplayable ball | Drop the ball in the bunker, behind the ball-to-hole line, or two club lengths to the side | 1 shot |
| Unplayable ball | Drop the ball outside the bunker, behind the line between the hole and the ball | 2 shots |
| Temporary water, construction site | Clearance in the bunker | None |
| Temporary water, construction site | Drop the ball outside the bunker, behind the line between the hole and the ball | 1 shot |
How do you get the ball out of a green bunker?
- The club: a sand wedge, whose wide sole bounces off the sand instead of sinking into it.
- The address: Face slightly open, feet firmly planted, weight slightly on the front foot.
- The entry point: You don't hit the ball; you drive the club into the sand a few centimeters behind it. It's the sand that propels the ball.
- The gesture: a full swing that cuts through the sand all the way to the finish. Slowing down at impact is the most common mistake.
As you leave, rake your divots and smooth out your footprints: it's a rule of etiquette that all golfers appreciate.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Golf Bunkers
Is it okay to touch the sand with your club in a bunker?
Not directly in front of or behind the ball, nor during a practice swing or the backswing: that results in a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. However, you may lean on your club to maintain your balance or place it in the bunker.
Is it okay to remove a leaf or a stone from a bunker?
Yes. Since 2019, players have been allowed to remove debris and removable obstructions—such as a rake—from a bunker. Note: If the ball moves during this process, it must be replaced, and a penalty stroke is assessed.
What should I do if my ball is unplayable in a bunker?
With a one-stroke penalty, you may replay the previous shot or drop the ball in the bunker. With a two-stroke penalty, you may drop the ball outside the bunker, behind the line connecting the hole to the ball.
Which club should you use for a bunker shot?
The sand wedge is designed for this: its wide sole bounces off the sand. In a fairway bunker with a low lip, an iron or a hybrid might be a good choice for hitting the ball farther.