Golf Bunker Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do in a Sand Trap

A sand bunker is one of the most misunderstood areas in golf. Many players are unsure what they can touch, what they must leave alone, and when they get free relief. Here is a complete rules breakdown.

⚠️ The 2019 rules changed bunkers

Under the old rules, you could not remove loose impediments (leaves, twigs, pebbles) from a bunker. The 2019 Rules of Golf reversed this — you can now remove natural loose objects freely. If you learned to play before 2019, this rule may have changed.

What you can and cannot do in a bunker

Situation	Allowed?	Detail
Ground your club in the sand before the shot	No — 2 strokes	You cannot touch the sand with your club (or hands/feet) to test the condition before striking the ball. Rule 12.2b.
Remove loose impediments (leaves, pine needles, twigs)	Yes	The 2019 Rules of Golf removed the old prohibition — you may now remove natural loose objects without penalty. Rule 12.2a.
Move a rake that is inside the bunker	Yes	Rakes are movable obstructions. You may move one if it interferes with your shot or stance, without penalty. Rule 15.2.
Take practice swings that touch the sand	No — 2 strokes	A practice swing that touches the sand before your actual stroke is treated the same as grounding the club. Rule 12.2b.
Touch the sand in your follow-through after impact	Yes	The restriction applies before and during the stroke. Touching the sand after the ball is struck carries no penalty. Rule 12.2b.
Declare the ball unplayable and take relief	Yes — with penalty	You have two options: 1-stroke penalty and drop anywhere in the bunker back on a line, OR 2-stroke penalty to drop outside the bunker keeping the flagstick between you and your drop point. Rule 19.3.
Touch the sand to remove an embedded stone or pebble	Yes — if it is a loose impediment	Stones and pebbles are loose impediments under the 2019 rules. You may remove them. However, you cannot move the ball to do so — if the ball moves, replace it. Rule 15.1.
Rake the bunker after your shot	Yes	Raking is encouraged for course courtesy. Rake your footprints and the divot from your shot before leaving. No rule requires it but it is expected etiquette.

How to play from a bunker correctly — step by step

Step 1

Identify that your ball is in a bunker

A bunker is a specially prepared sand area with defined edges, usually marked by a lip or raked border. If your ball is in the sand inside that boundary, bunker rules apply. Sand near the beach or other informal sandy areas do not count.

Step 2

Remove any loose impediments near your ball

Under the 2019 rules you may remove leaves, pine needles, twigs, and pebbles from around your ball without penalty. Do not press down the sand or touch it to test texture while doing so.

Step 3

Take your stance — do not ground the club

Set up to the shot without letting the club head rest on the sand before you swing. You may touch the sand when taking your stance (feet in the sand is unavoidable), but the club must stay above the surface until you begin the downswing.

Step 4

Strike the ball — touch in the follow-through is fine

Make your normal swing. The restriction on touching sand only applies before and during the stroke. After the ball leaves, your club may drag through the sand freely.

Step 5

If the ball is unplayable, pick the right relief option

Option A: 1-stroke penalty, drop anywhere in the bunker on a line back from the pin through your ball's position. Option B: 2-stroke penalty, drop outside the bunker on the same line, as far back as you like. Then rake the bunker before leaving.

Frequently asked questions

Can you touch the sand before hitting in a bunker?

No — touching the sand with your club to test its texture or lie is a 2-stroke penalty (stroke play) or loss of hole (match play) under Rule 12.2b. Your feet touching the sand when taking your stance is fine; grounding your club is not.

Can you remove leaves, sticks, and pine needles from a bunker?

Yes. The 2019 Rules of Golf changed this — you can now remove natural loose objects (leaves, twigs, acorns, pebbles) from around your ball in a bunker without penalty. Just do not press down or test the sand condition while doing it.

What is the penalty for grounding my club in a bunker?

Two strokes in stroke play, or loss of hole in match play. Grounding means the club head touches the sand before you start your downswing. Resting the club on top of the ball's surface while addressing it also counts.

Can I take a practice swing in a bunker?

Not if the club touches the sand. You may take an air-practice swing with the club held above the surface, but any practice swing that brushes the sand before your actual stroke incurs the same 2-stroke grounding penalty.

What is my unplayable ball option inside a bunker?

You have two choices: pay 1 stroke and drop anywhere in the bunker on the line from the pin through where the ball lies, keeping the flagstick between you and where you drop. Or pay 2 strokes, drop outside the bunker on that same line, going back as far as you want.

Can I move a rake that is near my ball in a bunker?

Yes. Rakes are movable obstructions. You may move a rake out of your way without penalty, even if it is in the bunker. If the ball moves when you move the rake, replace it without penalty.

What if my ball is in a footprint or uneven lie in the bunker?

Tough luck — there is no free relief for a bad lie in a footprint. You must play the ball as it lies or take unplayable ball relief with a stroke penalty. This is one reason raking is so important for the next player.

Can I rake the bunker after I play?

Yes, and you should. Raking after your shot is standard golf etiquette and helps the next player get a fair lie. There is no rule requiring it, but most clubs expect it and some local rules enforce it. Rake the footprints from your entry and exit path too.