Touching/Testing the sand...when not in a bunker

[Texas Wedge]

Okay, I played this weekend and my ball came to rest about a foot from the edge of the greenside bunker and I had to stand IN the bunker in order to hit the ball. If I had slipped and touched the sand with either my hand or the club, would there be a penalty involved?

Since my ball was outside the bunker, I figured it wouldn't be a penalty, but then my attempt to hit a ball that was waist-high was horrible and I ended up hitting it INTO the bunker.

So all you rules gurus...penalty or no penalty? Thanks for your input!!

[J.D.]

I d say no penalty.

[atticusfinch]

Originally Posted by Texas Wedge

Okay, I played this weekend and my ball came to rest about a foot from the edge of the greenside bunker and I had to stand IN the bunker in order to hit the ball. If I had slipped and touched the sand with either my hand or the club, would there be a penalty involved?

Since my ball was outside the bunker, I figured it wouldn't be a penalty, but then my attempt to hit a ball that was waist-high was horrible and I ended up hitting it INTO the bunker.

So all you rules gurus...penalty or no penalty? Thanks for your input!!

Most of the rules about what you can and cannot do with the ball depend on where the ball lies. Where it has been, or how it got there, or where you are do not matter.

This is one of those cases. The ball is not in the bunker, you may do what you want to the sand, (Unless you are improving the line of play.)

[Texas Wedge]

Originally Posted by atticusfinch

Most of the rules about what you can and cannot do with the ball depend on where the ball lies. Where it has been, or how it got there, or where you are do not matter.

This is one of those cases. The ball is not in the bunker, you may do what you want to the sand, (Unless you are improving the line of play.)

Cool. That's what I thought. I didn't touch the sand with my club for balance or anything just in case...but I didn't figure it would matter since the ball was not in the bunker. Thanks!!

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Texas Wedge

Cool. That's what I thought. I didn't touch the sand with my club for balance or anything just in case...but I didn't figure it would matter since the ball was not in the bunker. Thanks!!

Actually using the club as a cane to help you maintain your balance is allowed, but only if it can't be construed that you did it for the purpose of testing the sand. Rule 13-4:

Exceptions:

1. Provided nothing is done that constitutes testing the condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is no penalty if the player (a) touches the ground or loose impediments in any hazard or water in a water hazard as a result of or to prevent falling, in removing an obstruction, in measuring or in marking the position of, retrieving, lifting, placing or replacing a ball under any Rule or
(b) places his clubs in a hazard.

The specific answer to your question is in the Decisions:

13-4/1 Touching Sand in Bunker When Ball Lies Outside Bunker

Q. A ball lies just outside a bunker. The player takes his stance in the bunker. May the player ground his club on the sand in the bunker or touch the sand during his backswing?

A. Yes. Since the ball was not in or touching the bunker, Rule 13-4 does not apply.

If you just leaned on your club as a prop while waiting your turn, you would be in violation (if your ball was in the hazard).