Bunker Rakes

I was asked recently by a group of members, where was the correct place to leave the bunker rake when exiting the bunker.

This debate has been running for years and wherever you play your golf, its more than likely the neighbouring club will have different views.

The R&A advise that it is perhaps best to leave them outside and yet the local rule for the Old Course is to leave them in.

For European Tour events they insist that all bunker rakes be placed outside the bunker but not in the line of play.

Golfers playing Ravelston are asked to leave the bunker rake inside, but on Murrayfield there is no ruling.

Rake positioned outside the bunker

Rake inside the bunker

There is no perfect answer and it is ultimately a decision for each individual golf club to make, but rest assured at the next course committee meeting I shall ask for clarification.  

Until then, the debate continues.