Rakes in or out

Just curious if anyone has an idea what is proper etiquette with regards to the placement of the rake. I have heard all kinds of different arguments, but is there any quantified data to let us know where the rake should be placed. I’ve heard that the best place is out of the bunker and placed in direction of play on the high side of the bunker. What does everyone think here?

USGA states outside of bunker and parallel to line of play. That seems pretty standard.

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That’s the way I understand it to be proper too. However, this doesn’t seem to be the standard. How do we get people to conform? It is bad when the course already starts the day with them in the bunker after they are done grating them. It tells all of the other golfers that we should be placing them in the bunker.

You’ll get people to conform the same day people start repairing ballmarks and divots.

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Hahaha touché. Very valid point :face_with_symbols_over_mouth:

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Put them in the bunker. That way, the ball may hit it and bounce back into the fairway.

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The other argument to that is, if they are out of the bunker the ball may hit it and keep it out…

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It was already out. The rake could only knock it in. :grin:

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That is some kind of logic… :joy:

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My course’s policy is rakes in the bunker pointing away from the front of the bunker in the direction of play.

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Briggs Ranch in San Antonio puts a rake on every cart. May not be practical for most courses but I think it works great.

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I do like that, way more convenient, actually. However, the few times I’ve played courses that are that way, I’ve left the rake at the bunker and the next time I go in the trap, I realize it is in the last trap. HAHAHA

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I haven’t seen a rake since the courses reopened after the UK lockdown :cry:

This is weird to me since USGA recommends them out of the bunker, as @Bigdadenergy said.

Well, this too is a valid point. However, I have seen these now. I think I want my own portable rake

I think @Bigdadenergy just uses GI irons on the end of a pool noodle or something

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Yes, it takes getting use to. I imagine it becomes 2nd nature if it was set up that way at home course

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Just upgraded to some uncooked spaghetti taped together with a plastic dinosaur head at the bottom. Pretty sure I’ll be on the KFT at a minimum by next Spring.

Out for sure…what really bothers me about rakes are peoples inability to use them at all or their crappy rake jobs resulting in a wonderful lie.

Very true, as earlier mentioned, it rates right up there with divot or ball mark repairs. It’s the same people not raking or doing it haphazardly that aren’t fixing their other messes around the golf course. Like on the greens or divots in the fairway, if I am in the bunker and there is a rake, I will rake my mess and if time permits, a bunch of other people’s messes too. Sometimes I am in there so long, you might think I am getting paid to rake the bunkers. In all honesty, I kind of find raking the sand therapeutic.