# Raking Bunkers: When Can You Touch Sand?

> Golf rules clarify when raking sand in bunkers won't penalty your score.
- Title: Raking Bunkers: When Can You Touch Sand? · Nationalclubgolfer
- Summary: Golf rules clarify when raking sand in bunkers won't penalty your score. Golfers can rake sand in bunkers without penalty if actions improve ball position…
- Keywords: golf, bunker, rake, rules, sand, ball, sports, Raking, Bunkers, Touch, Nationalclubgolfer
- Source: Nationalclubgolfer — https://nationalclubgolfer.com/rules/raking-a-bunker-rules
- Author: Steve Carroll
- Published: 2026-10-13T16:04:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: golf, bunker, rake, rules, sand, ball, sports
## Bunker Raking Rules
Golfers can't touch sand in a bunker with club, hand, rake, or other object to test sand condition.
## When Raking Is Allowed
Raking sand improves ball position, stance, swing, or line of play without creating advantage.
## Avoiding Penalties
Raking sand won't penalty score if actions don't improve conditions affecting stroke or line of play.
## Examples of Safe Raking
Smoothing footprints in front of ball on line of play for short shots over smoothed area is safe.
## Key takeaway

Golfers can rake sand in bunkers without penalty if actions improve ball position, stance, or swing without creating advantage.