Hi Linda,
A few weeks back, in a tournament, one of my group members
while being frustrated decided he would use his putter to hit the side off the
bunker (lightly) three times. I told him he gets a three stroke penalty since
the bunkers are not to be touched even though his ball never came close to
being in the bunker. This has caused a dispute and we cannot find any ruling
about this. Can you tell us what the answer is and where can we find the ruling?
Thank you very much,
Lou
Dear Lou,
You are not permitted to touch the ground in a hazard when your ball lies in that hazard
[Rule 13-4b]. In your scenario, the player’s ball was not in the hazard. He did
not violate a Rule of Golf; he should not have received any penalty strokes for
striking the sand in the hazard with his putter.
However, he may have violated a rule of etiquette. Players
should not damage the course. Your narrative does not seem to indicate that
this player damaged the bunker, since you stated he hit the bunker “lightly.” I
hope he had the good sense and common courtesy to rake the sand that he
disturbed.
It is not unusual for players to get angry on a golf course.
However, they need to find an outlet for their anger that does not include
damaging the course.
Players who repeatedly damage the course are subject to
disciplinary action under the Etiquette section of the rulebook.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
