Golf Rules... 'Knowledge is Power' ④ Relief Outside the Bunker

Previous Rule: One-stroke penalty for ball dropped in bunker
Revised Rule: Two-stroke penalty for play outside bunker

Golf has no referees. It is a "gentleman's sport" where golfers play by following the rules themselves. The golf rules are "assistants" created to help with play. If well understood and properly applied, they can greatly aid in score management. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

At the 151st Open, the oldest major tournament which concluded last week with a total prize money of 16.5 million dollars, world-class players struggled. They sweated over the 81 bunkers placed at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, Wirral, England. They had a hard time escaping from deep pot bunkers that reached up to adult waist height.

Is it possible to get out of the bunker when escape seems impossible? According to the rules revised in 2019, it is possible. This is good news for golf beginners (golfer + child) who are weak at bunker shots. Previously, even if you declared your ball unplayable and took a one-stroke penalty, you had to drop within the bunker. However, if you take an additional penalty, you can come out of the bunker. When declaring the ball unplayable in a bunker, you take a two-stroke penalty and continue play after dropping outside the bunker. Relief is taken behind the reference line directly behind the original ball position in the relief area outside the bunker.

There are many points to check regarding bunker rules. The prohibited actions in bunkers have been relaxed. Even if you accidentally touch the sand with your club, there is no penalty as long as there is no intention to improve the lie or test the sand. You can lean your body on the club resting on the sand while another player is playing. No penalty is given if you strike the sand in frustration after a poor shot result. Before taking a bunker shot, you can remove loose impediments such as stones or twigs.