Golf Bunker Repair: Rules for Playing Your Ball

Question
My friend's ball landed in a nicely groomed area of a large bunker.  The bunker also had trenches and tire marks, so clearly there was some drainage work being performed. However, the spot where his ball lied and where he would  stand was not impacted.  Does he play the ball as is or drop out of bunker?

Answer
Dear Jeff, thanks for the question.  If the bunker is not officially designated (white paint around it) as Ground Under Repair, even if it is fairly obvious, then your friend must play the ball as it lies. The exception, of course, would be if the ball was impacted by the work being done, but even then, the drop would have to be WITHIN the bunker, within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.  If the nearest point of relief, in the bunker IS closer to the hole, only then can the ball be dropped out of the bunker.  Now, Jeff, all of this goes away if the golf course designates the entire bunker as G.U.R.  In that case, they want you to take the drop OUT of the bunker so as to not create more damage.  Luckily, in your friend's case, the lie was good!  Thanks again for asking, good luck and remember...

Love the game,
skipper