Can I smooth sand in a bunker before my shot?

Yes, you may smooth sand in a bunker to care for the course — like raking footprints — without penalty under Rule 12.2b(2), as long as you don't improve conditions affecting your stroke. If the smoothing helps your lie, stance, or swing, it's a two-stroke penalty.

The practical test: course care vs. improving your stroke

The rule hinges on a simple question: does the smoothing make your upcoming stroke easier? Raking a footprint ten feet from your ball is course care. Raking the sand right behind your ball, or smoothing a ridge that would affect your swing path, crosses the line into improving conditions affecting your stroke — a breach of Rule 8.1a. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. Your stated intent doesn't matter; the effect does.

What the rule allows

Rule 12.2b(2) lets you smooth sand in a bunker for the sole purpose of caring for the course. This means you can rake your footprints, fix a divot hole, or tidy up after another player — even before you play your shot. The key is intent: you're doing it to maintain the bunker, not to make your next shot easier.

Where the line is drawn

If your smoothing improves the conditions affecting your stroke — your lie, stance, area of intended swing, or line of play — you breach Rule 8.1a and get the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play). It doesn't matter that you claimed you were just "caring for the course"; the effect matters. Raking a footprint ten feet from your ball is fine. Raking the sand right behind your ball is not.

After your ball is out of the bunker

Once your ball is played out of the bunker, you're free to rake the entire bunker without any restriction. Rule 12.2b(2) only restricts smoothing while your ball still lies in the bunker. This is why you'll see pros rake bunkers after they've played out — they're no longer limited by the rule.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You smooth sand only to care for the course and it does not improve conditions affecting your stroke → No penalty — Rule 12.2b(2) permits this
• You smooth sand after your ball has left the bunker → No restrictions apply — rake freely
• You remove a loose impediment or movable obstruction and sand moves as a result → No penalty if the removal was reasonable — Interpretation 12.2a/1

Frequently asked questions

Can I rake my footprints before playing from a bunker?

Yes, if you're genuinely caring for the course and the raking doesn't improve your lie, stance, swing, or line of play. If it does, it's a two-stroke penalty.

What if I smooth the bunker and then decide to take unplayable ball relief?

The restrictions in Rule 12.2b(1) still apply while you're deciding. Smoothing that improved conditions before you lifted the ball is still a breach.

Can I probe the sand with a tee to check for roots or drains?

Yes, Interpretation 12.2b/2 allows probing anywhere on the course, including bunkers, as long as you don't improve conditions affecting your stroke.

Does this rule apply during a practice swing?

The rule applies whenever your ball lies in the bunker, including before practice swings. Smoothing that helps your upcoming stroke is penalized regardless of when you do it.

What's the penalty if I breach this rule?

General penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.