In the bunker, when are you allowed to remove leaves or twigs?

Question

In the bunker, when are you allowed to remove leaves or twigs?

Answer 1

The answer is never as correctly pointed out already.



While loose impediments cannot be removed, a club may have a local rule deeming stones in bunkers to be movable obstructions thereby allowing these to be removed.



Agree with John F. The new rating system is deficient by not allowing incorrect answers to be flagged as such.

Answer 2

Never!



USGA Rule 23-1. Relief

EXCEPT when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or touch the same

hazard, any loose impediment may be removed without penalty.



Loose Impediments

“Loose impediments’’ are natural objects, including:

• stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like,

• dung, and

• worms, insects and the like, and the casts and heaps made by them,

provided they are not:

• fixed or growing,

• solidly embedded, or

• adhering to the ball.

Answer 3

You cannot move natural things such as leaves and sticks when you are in a bunker. You can move things like soda cans and trash.

Answer 4

yes but dont make any motion to look like you are testing how hard or how soft the bunker is.... like dont grab the rake and start reaking all the twigs ad leaves from around your ball.

Answer 5

Larry and MBL are correct. You cannot move loose impediments (natural stuff). You can't even hit them with your club on your backswing.



I gave Larry and MBL an "I agree'". Whoever invented this new rating system forgot to include one that says "Wrong" so I can mark the other answers.

Answer 6

yes as long the ball doesn't move