Why should we rake a Bunker?

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

SD_Golfer — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:08:23 GMT

Unlike most hazards, the bunker is a playable hazard. I have no problem raking after my shot making it the same hazard for all players, the only problem I have is where to put the rake. Some courses like to put the rake off to the side, others like to keep the rake in the bunker itself. I suppose as long as all players follow the same procedure it keeps things equal.

Re: James B replied to Re: Fred C replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Jim B — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:43:01 GMT

@ James B --- Yes; if your entitle to a drop without a penalty from the dead tree branch - I'm all for it ---

I have no problem with you moving your ball if within the rules --- no matter if they help or hurt !

here's a scenario ? for instance if you hit the ball 350yds --- and you find your ball on a root of a live tree -- the rule says play the ball where it lies...

or you can take a un-playable -- and drop two club lengths to the close relieve - no nearer the hole ! and add one stroke to your score !

James - the group I play with wouldn't have counted the stroke penalty -

I know what your going to say next ---- don't play with them -- I've try different groups and it seems to be the same thing over again with other groups!!

So - What I've started doing is calling them out when I catch them in the act ! or in some case not even bet on our games at all ! and just play !!

Play More Golf with Titleist clubs --- JB

Re: Fred C replied to Re: Fred C replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Jim B — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:18:00 GMT

@ Fred C --- I'm few minutes away from Charlotte NC ---

my work takes me to Charlotte most everyday !

if you ever find yourself heading this way ---- Please let me know --- we will make arrangement to hit the links !

Re: Fred C replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Fred Closs — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:53:11 GMT

@ JimB - it would be my pleasure to play with you. On that note, perhaps we should look at having some local TT outings. As a start, I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Where are you JimB?

Re: Fred C replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

James B — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:22:08 GMT

The rules were made to keep the game fair for all. If you hit a 350 drive down the center of the fairway and your ball comes to rest against a tree brance that fell on the fairway you can move the branch and take your next shot. Your question implies playing every shot as it lie & where it lie ? I don't think you would be happy hitting your second shot after a perfect 350 yard drive from behind a tree branch because you couldnt move the branch.

Re: Fred C replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Jim B — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:59:26 GMT

Fred C,

let me add this now that I can see !

It would be a "honor and privilege" to play a round of golf with you "Fred C" -- knowing that you never play them dang winter rules - and you play with the same ball though the green !!!

sorry again for the miss-understanding on my part !!!

Jim B

Thanks,
Jim B.

Re: Fred C replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Jim B — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:44:27 GMT

Fred - I'm sorry didn't mean to attack you personally !

I was attacking the group I play with all the time !

ok -- I apologize for miss understanding your discussion and your reason behind not raking the bunker... because; it is a hazard and it should be tougher to play from !

I was just ranting - ravening about the group I play with ! they don't come close to playing by the rules -

When they are in a bunker that's not rake they move there ball to a better lie ! --- when in there fairway you can count on it "they will move there ball"

and when there not in the fairway -- woods or rough they will claim there's rocks - so they move the ball to not damaged there clubs !

Thanks,
Jim B.

Re: Lefty FPL replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

eagle3 — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:14:33 GMT

It seems that there are a number of players that abuse the the bunkers by not raking. While a bunker is designed to challenge the player, it doesn't help when another player purposely doesn't rake it smooth. It isn't as though it is a lot of hard work and can't be done with a minimum of effort, it is just a complete lack of golf etiquette and courtsey to leave that trap with divots and holes.

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Fred Closs — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:30:02 GMT

@Jim Brown - you comment was a personal attack and uncalled for. As for me, I play the ball down, don't play "winter rules" and only change the ball when it no longer fit for play. Let me add, since the "Scots" didn't rake bunkers or "sand traps" when they invented the game, why do we do it now?

If you don't want a bad lie in the bunker, don't hit the ball there.

Re: Lefty FPL replied to Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Jim B — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:19:25 GMT

ok -- I apologize for miss understanding your discussion and your reason behind not raking the bunker... because; it is a hazard and it should be tougher to play from !

I was just ranting - ravening about the group I play with ! they don't come close to playing by the rules -

When they are in a bunker that's not rake they move there ball to a better lie ! --- when in there fairway you can count on it "they will move there ball"

and when there not in the fairway -- woods or rough they will claim there's rocks - so they move the ball to not damaged there clubs !

Thanks,
Jim B.

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Lefty FPL — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:42:52 GMT

Mr Brown please do not assume anything as you know the saying about assumptions ...! The point of my discussion is that a bunker is a hazard and should be played as such . I DO NOT move my ball nor do I switch out my ball when putting on the greens . Take this discuss as it was intended as a lively point of conversation

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Fred Closs — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:23:04 GMT

Like you, I see no need to rake the bunkers - they are supposed to be a hazard, right? That being said, it's probably so that we all have an equal chance of a decent lie in the bunker. On that note, Michael Breed, on a GC show a few months ago said they are called bunkers, not "sand traps". When you consider up and down is called a "sand save", sand trap seem to be accurate.

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Lefty FPL — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:55:40 GMT

Hi no just bunkers .... Fairways and Greens should be maintained .. Be interesting to see additional comments. My thought is an UN-raked bunker would test one's skill level in making a shot to avoid it or getting out

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Jim B — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:49:45 GMT

my thoughts --- - Why Should we rake a bunker ?

If you rake a bunker properly. it will still leave high and low hills to master out of...

Which is not a easy shot by any means of the emagination...

are you the same guy that thinks its ok to move your ball one club length in the fairway of the hole that your playing ? ---

I bet you are !!! you probably have a putting ball as well, that you switch out once your on the putting suface ...

Please rake the bunkers and stop moving your ball in the fairway of the hole your playing or anyother hole for that matter !!!

and play the same ball though the green !!! From All True Golfers Everywhere !

"Play More Golf" --- and rake the damn bunker !

Thanks,

Jim Brown

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

Bill P — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:01:48 GMT

Wow, this will save a lot of time out on the course.....I'm assuming you're including not replacing divots or repairing ball marks on the green too.....???!!??!

By the way, some of the players at our course have already implemented your suggestion....!!

B.P.

Re: Why should we rake a Bunker?

eboos — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:50:27 GMT

My guess would be to provide equal playing conditions. Unlike a water hazard, either you are in, or you are not, and if you happen to be in but still able to make a shot, then you are just lucky. In a bunker, you are not intended on taking a stroke penalty, but only the penalty of trying to get out without causing too much damage. A clean, raked bunker is a test of skill. An unraked bunker would be a test of luck.