Touching the Sand in a Bunker in Jeju Golf: Is It a Penalty? Check Rule 12

Rule 12 is a specific Rule for bunkers, which are specially prepared areas intended to test a player's ability to play a ball from the sand. Under Rule 12.1, a ball is in a bunker when any part of it touches sand on the ground inside the edge of the bunker. A ball that comes to rest on the ground inside the edge where sand would normally be, for example where the sand has been blown or washed away, is also in the bunker.

On the other hand, if the ball lies on soil, grass or other growing or attached natural objects inside the edge of the bunker without touching any sand, the ball is not in the bunker. Even inside the edge, check with your playing partners first whether the ball is touching sand.

Under Rule 12.2a, before playing a ball in a bunker, a player may remove loose impediments under Rule 15.1 and movable obstructions under Rule 15.2. This includes any reasonable touching or movement of the sand in the bunker that happens while removing them.

In other words, a little movement of the sand while removing them is not automatically a breach. But deliberately pressing or brushing the sand to check its condition while you are at it can overlap with the prohibited actions below, so take care.

Under Rule 12.2b(1), before making a stroke at a ball in a bunker, a player must not do the following.

• Deliberately touch the sand with a hand, club, rake or other object to test the condition of the sand and learn information for the next stroke
• Touch the sand with a club right in front of or right behind the ball
• Touch the sand with a club in making a practice swing
• Touch the sand with a club in making the backswing for a stroke

If you take a practice swing in the bunker, keep the club off the sand, and at address do not rest the club on the sand right behind the ball; that is a simple way to keep to this Rule.

Rule 12.2b(2) states that, except as covered in (1), the Rule does not prohibit the following.

• Digging in with the feet to take a stance for a practice swing or the stroke
• Smoothing the bunker to care for the course
• Throwing or placing clubs, equipment or other objects in the bunker
• Measuring, marking, lifting, replacing or taking other actions under a Rule
• Leaning on a club to rest, keep balance or prevent falling
• Striking the sand in frustration or anger

However, if touching the sand improves the conditions affecting the stroke in breach of Rule 8.1a, the player gets the general penalty. After the ball is out of the bunker there are no restrictions, so smooth the bunker once your shot is played.

The penalty for breaching Rule 12.2 is the general penalty. Under Rule 12.3, when a ball is in a bunker, specific relief Rules may apply in these situations: interference by an abnormal course condition, interference by a dangerous animal condition, and when the player declares an unplayable ball.

• Does any part of the ball touch sand inside the edge? — If so, it is in the bunker
• Did anyone touch the sand to test its condition before the stroke?
• Did the club stay off the sand in practice swings and the backswing?
• After the shot, was the bunker smoothed?

This article is based on R&A Rule 12 and does not assume the Local Rules or course conditions of any particular Jeju golf course. Courses may have additional Local Rules, so also check the information for the round you are playing.