How to replace your ball in a bunker when the lie has changed

If your ball's lie in the bunker gets worse after you lift or move it, you must recreate the original lie as nearly as possible before replacing the ball — no penalty, just put it back how you found it (Rule 14.2d).

What the rule says in plain English

You're in a bunker. You mark and lift your ball — maybe to identify it, maybe because it's in someone's line. While it's out of the sand, someone rakes the bunker, a cart drives through, or the wind blows sand into a crater where your ball used to sit. The lie is now worse than when you lifted it. Rule 14.2d says you don't just plop the ball down on the new, crappy lie. You have to restore the original lie as nearly as you can, then replace the ball on that spot. If you can't recreate it exactly, do your best — the rule only asks for "as nearly as possible."

What counts as "worsened" and who fixes it

A worsened lie means the ball would sit differently — deeper, on a slope, in a footprint, with less sand under it — than it did originally. It doesn't matter who caused it: you, your playing partner, a caddie, a maintenance crew, or natural forces like wind. The obligation to restore falls on you, the player. You're allowed to use your hands, a club, a rake — whatever it takes to get the sand back to something close to the original condition. Just don't improve it beyond what it was; that's a different breach (Rule 8.1a).

When play was stopped — the exception

If play was suspended (weather, darkness) and you lifted your ball under Rule 5.7d, then the lie gets worsened while play is stopped, Rule 14.2d doesn't apply. Instead, Rule 5.7d takes over: you replace the ball on the original spot (estimated if needed) but you do NOT restore the worsened lie. You play it as it lies when play resumes. This is the only time you don't fix the lie — because the suspension, not the lifting, triggered the change.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Play was suspended and you lifted the ball under Rule 5.7d, then the lie worsened while play was stopped → Rule 5.7d applies instead — replace the ball on the original spot but do NOT restore the lie; play it as it lies when play resumes

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a penalty if I can't restore the lie perfectly?

No. The rule only requires you to restore it "as nearly as possible." Do your best — if a footprint is gone or sand has shifted, recreate the general lie and replace the ball. No penalty for imperfect restoration.

What if someone else raked the bunker after I lifted my ball?

Doesn't matter who did it. You still have to restore the original lie as nearly as possible before replacing. The obligation is yours regardless of who worsened it.

Can I use a rake or my hands to rebuild the lie?

Yes. Use whatever you need — hands, club, rake — to get the sand back to something close to the original condition. Just don't make it better than it was originally.

What if the ball won't stay on the restored spot?

Try twice. If it still won't stay, place it on the nearest spot in the bunker where it will stay at rest, not nearer the hole (Rule 14.2e).

Does this apply if my ball moves in the bunker without me lifting it?

No — this only applies when you (or someone authorized) lifted or moved the ball. If natural forces move it while it's at rest, you play it from the new spot (Rule 9.3).