Bunker Etiquette: How to Rake and Leave It Properly

Why bunker etiquette matters more than you think

A poorly raked bunker isn't just an inconvenience — it directly affects someone else's game. Golf balls roll and settle in footprints and blast craters. A lie in an untouched bunker is tough enough; a lie in someone else's footprint is genuinely unfair.

The R&A's guidance is simple: leave the bunker in as good a condition as you found it, or better. This section explains exactly how.

Entering and exiting the bunker

Always enter and exit from the lowest point of the bunker — the shallowest side, or wherever the lip is lowest. Don't climb in or out over the face — it damages the edge and leaves marks that are hard to rake flat.

Leave your bag and trolley outside the bunker. Never take a trolley or buggy near a bunker edge.

Where to leave the rake

This is a perennial debate in golf, with no single universal answer. The R&A recommends placing the rake inside the bunker (to avoid a ball being deflected in by a rake lying outside). Some clubs instruct you to leave it outside. Follow the local rule for your course — if in doubt, ask the pro shop or check the notice board.

Either way: don't leave it across the lip, and don't leave it somewhere that would obviously deflect a ball into the bunker.

How to rake correctly

Most golfers rake too quickly and too lightly. Here's the correct approach:

1. Take the rake before you walk in, if it's inside the bunker, or pick it up from outside after you play.
2. After playing your shot, smooth the blast mark first — the explosion of sand around where the ball was. This is the deepest disruption.
3. Work your way out toward the entry point, raking as you go, smoothing your footprints.
4. Rake in long, even strokes — not short jabs. The goal is a flat, consistent surface.
5. Don't just rake the exact path you walked — rake a slightly wider area to leave the bunker looking clean.
6. Exit and rake the last footprints from outside the bunker, reaching back in with the rake.

The whole process takes 20–30 seconds. There's no excuse for skipping it.

Common mistakes

Raking only your footprints: A ball that lands where your shot exploded the sand will have an even worse lie than a footprint. Rake the full blast area, not just where you walked.

Raking too lightly: A quick surface pass doesn't remove deeper footprints. Apply some pressure and work the rake into the sand properly.

Climbing over the lip: Damages the bunker edge and leaves marks that can't be raked flat. Go round.

Leaving the rake across the bunker face: If a ball strikes the rake handle sticking up, it could deflect into or out of the bunker in a way nobody intended. Lay it flat.

Not raking at all if you're in a hurry: The pace of play argument. If you genuinely can't rake because of time pressure, at least smooth the main footprints with your foot. Something is better than nothing.

What the rules actually say about bunkers

A few rule points worth knowing:

• Since 2019, you can touch the sand in a bunker in many situations (entry/exit, removing loose impediments, practice swings that don't improve your lie). See the bunker rules spoke for details.
• You cannot ground your club directly behind the ball before playing.
• Raking your own footprints or the blast mark before playing (if they affect your lie or swing) is also not allowed — you must play the ball as it lies first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rake footprints near my ball before I play? No — that would be improving your lie. Rake after you've played your shot.

What if there's no rake in the bunker? Do your best with your feet to smooth the sand on your way out. It's not ideal, but it's better than leaving deep footprints.

Does the direction I rake matter? Yes, slightly — rake toward the edges and exit point, not toward the center. This helps the bunker drain properly and keeps the central area flatter.

Can I ask my caddie to rake while I play? Your caddie may rake the area behind you (not affecting your lie or swing) during your shot or after. It's common practice for a caddie to begin raking the entry point while you prepare your shot.