Today’s sand traps are feared by golfers of all abilities but serve several important purposes in the game of golf. Contrary to popular belief, bunkers are not present to simply frustrate golfers; bunkers add definition around important areas of the course as well as provide separation between adjacent fairways and greens. Bunkers are also used around greens to help collect balls that outrun the green. From a golfer’s perspective, they add uncertainty as well as variety to your day on the golf course.
In addition to adding challenges to a golfer’s day, sand traps add complexity for greens keepers who are ultimately tasked with maintaining the bunkers. With the grounds crew doing their job once a day it is the responsibility of every golfer to do their best to help maintain golf courses to minimize their impact. This ensures that all players are met with the same lush fairways, manicured greens and obstruction free sand traps and everyone has an enjoyable time on the course.
Properly raking a sand trap is essential for ensuring all golfers have a fair and enjoyable experience while on the golf course. Properly entering, raking and exiting a bunker maintains the integrity of the golf course and guarantees all players find the sand trap in its best possible condition. No one wants to find their ball resting in another player’s footprint or divot in the bunker.
Returning the surface of the sand trap to a smooth and undisturbed state is the goal of proper bunker raking. Here are a few tips to help maintain bunkers for fellow golfers:
1. Take note of how the bunker is raked before you enter; your goal is to return the sand to this state after your shot.
2. Bring the bunker rake with you into the trap to limit trips in and out of the bunker and minimize footprints that will have to be raked.
3. Enter the trap at a low point relative to the surrounding grass.
4. Fill in all footprints and divots with the rake returning the surface of the sand to a smooth and undisturbed state.
5. Do not leave piles of sand in the trap or near the edges.
6. Use your club to knock sand out of your shoes prior to stepping back on the grass.
For more information please visit the United States Golf Association’s guidance on properly raking a sand trap.