Over the past two years, I have been mildly obsessed with the mind-numbing conundrum; should rakes be positioned inside the bunker, outside the bunker or half inside/half outside the bunker (Golf’s Greatest Mystery). To date, I have made little, if any, progress towards a definitive solution.
However, through a series of emails between two old friends, one a former Division II Golf Coach and the other a USGA Rules Official, intelligent commentary on the very topic hit a fever pitch!
Warning: We may lose a high percentage of our non-golfing faithful prior to the end of the next paragraph!
The former Division II Golf Coach (whom for the sake of this article we will call Mark) in an email to the USGA Rules Official (whom for the sake of this article we will call Paul) lamented over a recent drive which landed five feet left of a right fairway bunker, which, under normal circumstances, would have rolled nicely into the fairway. Instead, the ball bounded off the shaft of a rake, which was positioned outside the left edge of the bunker, causing the ball to land in the bottom of the bunker. Mark followed his initial tale of woe with yet another example where his second shot into a green was prevented from rolling into the bottom of a left greenside bunker by a rake positioned just outside the right edge of the bunker. Due to the contact, the ball remained 6-inches outside the bunker, while his more than awkward stance was now deep inside the bunker.
Mark, not one to lodge a complaint without proposing an equitable, simplistic solution, suggested the following; “Leave all rakes inside the bunker, allowing for a free drop within the bunker, in the event a ball is prevented from rolling to the bottom of the bunker by the rake.” Mark, to his very core, believes his holistic solution would be amenable to players and maintenance personnel alike.
Nanoseconds after Mark hit the “send” button, Paul, vacationing in Spain, responded to the perceived injustices, stating the following; “The USGA’s recommendation is that rakes should be placed on the outside edge of the bunker because rakes left too close to the inside edges of the bunker may not allow balls to roll to the bottom of the bunker. However, in the event a rake would be placed inside a bunker, it should always be gently tossed to the middle of the bunker”. Paul concluded his commentary with the following thought; “Life isn’t fair, nor is the solution perfect!”
Knock, knock…any of our non-golfing faithful still around?
After a restless night’s sleep, Mark made yet another thoughtful pitch on the subject to Paul, stating; “I have decided that I am more right today than yesterday! If the USGA wants to speed up play and make the Rules and course maintenance more accommodating, the rakes should absolutely be placed inside the bunker! The change would eliminate misdirected balls and speed up the mowing process by keeping the mower teams on their mowers, allowing the bunker teams to manage the rakes.”
Paul, now back from Spain, embodying the spirit of the stoic Seneca relative to the fairness of a law and adopting a noble spirit, shared the following; “Reverse the bad bounce with a good shot and bring balance to nature’s realm!”
USGA Rules of Golf (Misc/2):
There is no perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside bunkers. It is recommended that rakes should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of the ball.
Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed.
Well, needless to say, I am more confused today than ever before, as I see both sides of this ticklish quandry. All in all, it may be easier to steer clear of all fairway, pot and green-side bunkers or align with the teachings of a 21st century prophet, Bunky Burgess; “Love the lie that you’re playing at the time!”
Mark and Paul, thank you for your contribution!
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The back nine can only get better!
These made up friends of yours, Mark, Paul and Bunky sound like great guys!