The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. our Rules Guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.
My second shot on a par-5 wedged into the front edge of a bunker. At least half of the ball had gone into the edge of the grass, but some of it was definitely touching the sand. Is this ball considered embedded, or in the bunker and played as it lies? – Nick Monti, via email
both. The ball is on its own track made by the previous shot and below the surface of the ground, so it is truly embedded. But it is also touching the sand, so it lies in the bunker – here, we refer you to rule 12.1 – and relief for a ball that is embedded is not allowed when the ball is in a bunker (or even when it is in the general area, but embedded in the sand in an area that is not cut to the height of the fairway or less).
Therefore, under Rule 16.3 and the embedded definition, you must play it as it stands or get a real.
For more bunkering instructions from our tutor, read on…
;)
Rules guy: Taking my stance caused my ball to roll into a bunker. What now?
Rules Guy
The deer around my home course often go through the bunkers. Nice… but can I smooth out the tracks if my ball comes to rest in a hoofprint? – Shay Ballard, Prescott, Ariz.
While deer tracks can mark us, you can’t tame them, because sanding isn’t allowed if it improves stroke-affecting conditions – otherwise known as CATS.
Even if Model Local Rule F-13, which treats damage from animal hooves (or paws) as land under repair, is in effect, you still won’t be allowed to tame, but you’ll get a free fall. We will discuss deer droppings another time.
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Have a question about the Rules? Ask Guy Rules! Send your questions, confusion and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise you won’t throw the book at you.
