Raking Bunker Prior to Play

Question
Situation:  A lot of players at my local course do not repair the bunker after they have played resulting in the next guy in the bunker having to contend with footprints, splash outs ect.  Is it ever permissible to fix footprints that will interfere with your being able to hit your ball from a bunker.  Hope the question makes sense and I know that the right thing would be for everyone to rake the bunker when they are done playing from it.


Answer
Reson,

No it's not permissible to touch the sand with a rake, club or any object prior to hitting the sand with your club head on your downswing. Touching the sand with the rake would be considered "testing" the sand resulting in a two stroke penalty.

Hopefully the word will get out at your club and the players will start doing the courteous thing by raking the bunker after they hit out of it.

Thanks for the question and good  luck with the players at your club,

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional