Bunker Rake Placement

Proper placement of the Bunker Rake

Over the years we have gone back and forth on where to place the bunker rakes.  Although the USGA has a rule for everything else, there is no rule for the proper placement of bunker rakes.  The rules simply state that, "Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed."

Initially, we were placing the rakes outside of the bunkers.  This was primarily to avoid the likelihood of a ball coming to rest against a rake inside of the bunker.  Unfortunately, due to the amount of rake handles being broken from traffic driving over them, at $20 per handle, we made the decision to move the rakes inside the bunker.

After a few comments regarding the problems with reaching the rakes due to the steep slopes on the bunker edges, we have since moved to a modified version of placing the rake head in the bunker with the handle propped up on the edge.

This makes it easy to find the rake and has solved our issues with rakes being driven over by carts and equipment.  Although there is no perfect answer for limiting the potential influence of a rake on the golf ball, this seems to reduce the likelihood of a ball coming to rest against the rake.

To make a long story short, please do your part in assisting with the proper placement of the rakes.  Rake heads in the bunker, handle propped up on the side, avoiding steep slopes, on the back side of the bunker.