Myrtle Beach Golf: A Guide to Proper Sand Trap Etiquette

While the beautiful coastal city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is renowned for its sunny beaches, lively fishing piers, and bustling boardwalks, it also commands an enviable reputation as a golfer’s paradise. As you tread the verdant greens and navigate the various challenges of its well-manicured golf courses, one crucial aspect to bear in mind is the etiquette – particularly when it comes to sand traps or bunkers.

Understanding and adhering to sand trap etiquette not only ensures smooth play but also maintains the quality of the course for future golfers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to proper sand trap etiquette when golfing in Myrtle Beach.

1. Entering and Exiting the Bunker

When approaching a bunker, it’s essential to understand the correct ways to enter and exit. Always enter from the lowest point of the bunker. Stepping or jumping down steep bunker faces can damage the edges, displace sand, and cause undue maintenance. Similarly, exit from the same low point, avoiding any steep or fragile edges.

2. Handling the Rake

Traditionally, rakes are provided near the bunkers to smooth over any disturbances made during play. If you find yourself in a bunker, ensure that you rake the area effectively once you’ve played your shot. In the post-pandemic era, some courses may have removed rakes from their bunkers to limit communal touchpoints. In this case, do your best to smooth the sand using your feet or a club.

3. Raking Technique

Raking isn’t just a chore but an art, impacting the experience of the players who come after you. Start by raking the spot where your ball landed or where it came to rest. Then, rake your footprints and any other disturbances you’ve made in the sand.

The correct raking technique involves pulling the rake towards you in a smooth, even motion, ensuring the sand is evenly distributed. Avoid pushing the sand, as it can create mounds. Once finished, place the rake outside the bunker, in the direction of play.

4. Practice Swings

Unlike on the fairway or in the rough, practice swings that disturb the sand are not allowed in a bunker. This rule prevents the sand’s condition from being altered and potentially offering an advantage or disadvantage to the player.

5. Loose Impediments and Obstructions

In a bunker, loose impediments (natural objects like leaves or stones) and movable obstructions (artificial objects like a soda can or discarded rake) can be removed without penalty. However, this should be done carefully to avoid moving the ball. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and the player will receive a one-stroke penalty.

6. Unplayable Lie in a Bunker

If you encounter an unplayable lie in a bunker, you have several relief options, generally with a penalty of one stroke. These options include dropping a ball behind the bunker keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or dropping a ball within the bunker, within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay.

7. Bunker Shots

When your ball lands in a bunker, remember that the club should not touch the sand before your swing. It’s a breach of rules, and a penalty stroke may be applied. Only during the downswing is the club allowed to touch the sand.

8. Maintaining Pace of Play

When you find yourself in a bunker, be mindful of maintaining the pace of play. Make your shot promptly, rake as necessary, and exit the bunker as quickly as possible to avoid delaying the game for the players behind you.

Proper sand trap etiquette is a critical aspect of golf that upholds the spirit of the game, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all players on the course. Whether you’re enjoying a round at the famed Dunes Golf & Beach Club, the Grande Dunes Resort Club, or any other course in Myrtle Beach, remember that these etiquette guidelines aim to preserve the course’s quality, ensure fair play, and maintain a positive, respectful atmosphere among players. Happy golfing!