Bunker
The bunker is the sand hazard on the course.
The bunker belongs to the classic hazards of golf. It is a hollow with sand that lines fairways or guards greens. Under the rules bunkers are not penalty areas, so you may play the ball out of the sand without penalty stroke. That distinguishes it from the water hazard. A distinction is made between fairway bunkers, which narrow the tee shot, and green bunkers, which defend the approach. The sand lies sometimes loose, sometimes firm, depending on course and weather.
The green bunker shot is a technique of its own: you open the clubface of the wedge, strike into the sand behind the ball and let the sand carry the ball out. An example: your ball lies in the bunker two metres in front of the green edge. You aim for a spot three centimetres behind the ball and swing through. The ball comes out high and soft. The rule is important: before the stroke the clubface must not touch the sand, otherwise there are penalty strokes.
Typical mistakes are too little swing and fear of the sand. The most common beginner mistake is breaking off the swing at the moment of impact. After the stroke you rake away your tracks; that belongs to etiquette like the replacing of divots on the fairway. Whoever practises the bunker regularly loses the fear and plays the course more boldly.
FAQ
Do I get a penalty stroke if my ball lands in the bunker?
No, under the rules the bunker is not a penalty area. You may play the ball out of the sand without a penalty stroke — unlike the water hazard. Penalty strokes only threaten if you set the clubface down in the sand before the stroke or test the sand.
What must I observe after the bunker shot on the course?
You rake your tracks smooth — footprints, shot holes and everything you have left in the sand. That belongs to etiquette, just like replacing divots on the fairway. The next player should not find your situation any more difficult.
What is the difference between fairway bunker and green bunker?
Fairway bunkers lie along the line of play and narrow the tee shot — here it is about distance and clean contact. Green bunkers guard the green and defend the approach — here you need height and a soft stop. Depending on the situation you therefore play the bunker shot with different technique and a different goal.