Misc./1 Course
Record
The term "course
record" is not defined in the Rules of Golf. However, it is
generally accepted that a record score should be recognized
as the official "course record" only if made in an
individual stroke play competition (excluding bogey, par or
Stableford competitions) with the holes and tee-markers in
their proper medal or championship positions.
It is recommended
that a record score should not be recognized as the official
"course record" if a Local Rule permitting preferred lies is
in operation.
(Revised)
Misc./2 Whether
Rakes Should Be Placed In or Outside Bunkers
Q.
Should rakes be placed in or outside bunkers?
A.
There is not a
perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it
is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or
disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside of
bunkers.
It may be argued
that there is more likelihood of a ball being deflected into
or kept out of a bunker if the rake is placed outside the
bunker. It could also be argued that if the rake is in the
bunker it is most unlikely that the ball will be deflected
out of the bunker.
However, in
practice, players who leave rakes in bunkers frequently
leave them at the side which tends to stop a ball rolling
into the flat part of the bunker, resulting in a much more
difficult shot than would otherwise have been the case. This
is most prevalent at a course where the bunkers are small.
When the ball comes to rest on or against a rake in the
bunker and the player must proceed under Rule 24-1, it may
not be possible to replace the ball on the same spot or find
a spot in the bunker which is not nearer the hole - see
Decision 20-3d/2.
If rakes are left in
the middle of the bunker the only way to position them is to
throw them into the bunker and this causes damage to the
surface. Also, if a rake is in the middle of a large bunker
it is either not used or the player is obliged to rake a
large area of the bunker resulting in unnecessary delay.
Therefore, after
considering all these aspects, it is recommended that rakes
should be left outside bunkers in areas where they are least
likely to affect the movement of the ball.
Ultimately, it is a
matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to
be placed.
