Can I test the sand in a bunker before my shot?

No, you can't deliberately test the condition of the sand in a bunker — that's a two-stroke penalty under Rule 12.2b(1). But you're allowed to probe for roots, rocks, or drains as long as you're not checking how soft or firm the sand is.

What counts as testing the sand

Rule 12.2b(1) says you must not deliberately touch the sand in a bunker to learn what it's like — digging in with your feet, raking a practice line, or pressing a club down to feel the firmness. Doing any of that on purpose is a two-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. The rule applies the moment your ball is in the bunker, and it keeps applying even if you've lifted the ball to take relief but haven't decided which option to use yet.

What you're allowed to do

You can probe anywhere in the bunker — including right next to your ball — to check for tree roots, rocks, or man-made obstructions like drains. Interpretation 12.2b/2 confirms this is fine as long as your purpose isn't to test the sand itself. You can also remove loose impediments (pine cones, leaves) and movable obstructions (rakes, cans). If sand moves while you're doing that reasonably, there's no penalty even if it improves your lie (Interpretation 12.2a/1).

Animal holes and relief decisions

If your ball sits on a mound of sand from an animal hole, the same no-testing restrictions apply to that mound (Interpretation 12.2b/1). But you can take free relief from the animal hole itself under Rule 16.1c. And remember: if you've lifted your ball from the bunker to take relief but haven't picked your option yet — back to the tee, drop in the bunker, or back-on-the-line outside — the bunker restrictions still apply until you decide (Interpretation 12.2b/3).

Exceptions that change the answer

• Removing loose impediments or movable obstructions → Sand moved during reasonable removal is not a penalty, even if it improves conditions affecting the stroke (Interpretation 12.2a/1).
• Probing for roots, rocks, or obstructions → Allowed anywhere in the bunker provided the purpose is not to test the sand condition (Interpretation 12.2b/2).
• Ball lies on animal-hole mound in bunker → Testing restrictions apply to the mound, but free relief from the animal hole is available under Rule 16.1c (Interpretation 12.2b/1).
• Ball lifted for relief but option not yet chosen → Rule 12.2b(1) restrictions continue to apply until the player decides on a relief option (Interpretation 12.2b/3).

Frequently asked questions

Can I wiggle my feet in the bunker to feel how soft the sand is?

No. That's deliberately testing the condition of the sand — two-stroke penalty in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.

Can I use a tee to check if there's a drain under my ball in the bunker?

Yes. Probing for obstructions like drains is allowed under Interpretation 12.2b/2, as long as you're not testing the sand itself.

What if I accidentally kick sand while removing a pine cone near my ball?

No penalty if your actions were reasonable. Interpretation 12.2a/1 covers this — sand moved while reasonably removing a loose impediment is fine even if it improves your lie.

I lifted my ball from a bunker to take unplayable relief but haven't decided where to drop. Can I test the sand while I think?

No. Interpretation 12.2b/3 says the bunker restrictions keep applying until you've chosen your relief option.

My ball is on a mound of sand from a gopher hole in the bunker. Can I touch that mound?

The no-testing rule applies to the mound (Interpretation 12.2b/1), but you can take free relief from the animal hole itself under Rule 16.1c.