Quote:
Originally Posted by Armygolf  So if that shot (from the edge of the bunker) had stayed on the fairway Cink would would have been fine to rake the bunker?
At what point could he hit one in the bunker without taking the 2 strokes? |
NO...The key here was that his ball was not in the hazard previously, and he tested the conditions of the hazard with the rake in relation to his next shot. Had his ball been in the hazard, there is an exception to the rule listed in the rule book
edit 1 - actually rereading your post I mis understood in thinking that you meant his initial shot. You are correct, had his ball from the edge of the bunker come to rest on the green or the fairway, he would have been fine. - "If the ball is outside the hazard after the stroke, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard without restriction." Quote:
Originally Posted by USGA 3. If the player makes a stroke from a hazard and the ball comes to rest in another hazard, Rule 13-4a does not apply to any subsequent actions taken in the hazard from which the stroke was made. |
... this of course being an assumption on my part that they checked rules official first to check this out further, as I did not see the incident.
Further, it was not a violation until they got out the rake, or grounded a club, or used his hand, or what not. As it is not considered testing the condition with your feet. That is actually how most players do this, in building their stance and digging in their feet, or simply walking to the ball.
Although I didn't event think of in the sense that it applied to the Caddie as well, but that certainly makes sense that it would when giving it any thought.