Is it a penalty to touch the sand on your backswing in a bunker?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Bunkers
Penalty: Two strokes
Is it a penalty to touch the sand on your backswing in a bunker?
PenaltyTwo strokes· under Rule 12
What to do
- 1Take practice swings outside the bunker, not over the sand.
- 2Keep your clubhead clear of the sand as you swing back toward the ball.
- 3If your club brushes sand during the actual stroke’s backswing, expect a two-stroke penalty.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 12), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
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