What are you not allowed to do in a bunker?
B · Beginner · Bunkers and putting greens · 11 of 13In a bunker the player must not touch the sand with the club right in front of or behind the ball, in a practice swing or on the backswing, and must not test the sand. Breaking this costs two strokes, or the hole in match play. Loose leaves and stones may be removed.
How it works
When a ball is in a bunker:
- When any part of it touches sand inside the edge of the bunker.
- A ball on grass or soil inside the bunker's edge, touching no sand, is not in the bunker. Nor is one on the lip or face.
Not allowed before the stroke:
- Deliberately touching the sand with a hand, club or rake to test it.
- Touching the sand with the club right in front of or right behind the ball.
- Touching the sand with the club in a practice swing.
- Touching the sand with the club in the backswing.
Allowed:
- Digging in with the feet to take a stance.
- Removing loose impediments and movable obstructions, such as a rake.
- Placing clubs or equipment in the bunker.
- Leaning on a club to rest or keep balance.
- Smoothing sand to care for the course, as long as it does not improve the next stroke.
- Striking the sand in frustration.
- Anything at all, once the ball has been played out of the bunker.
Ways out without playing the ball: free relief inside the bunker from an abnormal course condition, or unplayable-ball relief.
Tricky cases
Can a player rest the club on the sand behind the ball?
No. The club must not touch the sand right in front of or right behind the ball before the stroke.
The ball stayed in the bunker and the player hit the sand in anger. Is there a penalty?
No, unless doing so improved the conditions for the next stroke. The Rules list "striking the sand in frustration or anger" among the things that are not penalised.
Can a player get out of a bunker without hitting the ball?
Yes, at a price. As an unplayable ball it can be dropped outside the bunker, back on the line, for two penalty strokes, or played again from the previous spot for one.
Why the rule exists
The Rules say a bunker is there "to test the player's ability to play a ball from the sand". Feeling the sand first, or clearing a path for the club, would answer part of the test in advance.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf | As above | G 12 |
| Players who are blind | The club may touch the sand right in front of or behind the ball and on the backswing | G 25.2f |
| Sandy waste areas the Committee has not made bunkers | General area rules apply | G Definitions (Bunker) |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 12, 16.1c and 19.3, and the Definition of bunker. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).