What’s The Ruling? What You Can — and Can’t — Do in a Bunker

by Instruction Editor July 17, 2026

Instruction Editor Golf Coach

July 17, 2026 2 minutes read

Bunkers have a reputation for being a rules minefield. They’re really not — but there are a handful of things that will cost you two shots if you get them wrong. Here’s what you need to know.

You’re allowed to do more than you think

Found a stone, a leaf or a pine cone sitting near your ball? You can move it. Loose impediments can be removed from bunkers without penalty — even if you disturb a bit of sand in the process.

Need to dig your feet in to get a solid stance? Go ahead. Want to lean on your club while you’re waiting? Fine. Raking the bunker after your shot? All good.

And if you hit a terrible shot and feel the need to express your feelings — there’s actually no penalty for striking the sand in frustration. Hannah Davies from England Golf points that out with a straight face. Though she does suggest you don’t make a habit of it.

Where it will cost you

Two shots in stroke play, loss of hole in match play — if you do any of these:

Test the sand before you play. Pressing your club into it, feeling how firm it is, checking the texture — that’s testing the condition and it’s not allowed.
Ground your club near the ball. You cannot touch the sand with your club in the area right in front of or behind your ball at address.
Touch the sand on a practice swing. One of the most common accidental penalties at club level. If your practice swing clips the sand, that’s a two-shot penalty.
Touch the sand on your backswing. Same rule applies to the actual stroke. Keep the club clear all the way back.

Stuck with no shot? You have a way out

If your ball is buried under a steep face and there’s genuinely nothing on, you don’t have to keep hacking at it. You can declare the ball unplayable and take relief outside the bunker — it’ll cost you two shots rather than one, but sometimes that’s the smarter call.