Bunker raking...
 

So I played with three great ladies today at Okeechobee. Beautiful day to play. One of the ladies hit it in the bunker on no.9. She didn't even attempt to rake it. Now when I'm playing and someone in the group goes into a bunker and doesn't rake I go in after them and rake where they've been. I don't say a word...I just do the right thing. The woman thanked me and I said, "no problem, my pleasure."

She said she thought it was optional...I said no....it's what you're supposed to do since they put the rakes back in the bunkers. Another of the ladies said she never rakes bunkers and I responded that if it were me playing with her I'd do it for her with no comment at all.

So it turns out that many villagers just don't rake bunkers for a variety of reasons. Listen folks....if you play golf put sand in your divots, repair pitch marks on the green and rake your bunkers(bring the rake with you to you ball and rake your way back out...no...dragging the rake behind you is not raking the bunker!). If you can't do these simple tasks then perhaps shuffle board is more your speed.

You get used to raking for other players, and as for repairing divots, you could spend a whole round repairing them.
Ignorance of etequette, is endemic on TV golf courses!

Raking bunkers is still optional

Whenever I'm playing with someone who is somewhat out of focus with the game. I'll ask them 'have been to the Villages Good Golf School, if not, you'll get a lot of good information". I took the class when I moved here in 2011 and I had been playing golf since 1962. For one thing, you'll learn where the Villages prefers you place the rake after raking.

Good Golf School

No

https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/...-1-960x540.jpg

Yes

https://www.prestwickgolfgroup.com/i...2000x800-0.jpg

You forgot a smiley face, you obviously were kidding, right?

Nope, still optional in this world of Covid paranoia

I carry my own rake. I ordered a Bond telescoping rake off of Amazon ($17) for the few times I'm in a bunker so I don't have to grab the handle of a rake that has been held by hands that have been no telling where. :ohdear::ohdear:

You should either carry your own rake or stay home if you're afraid to touch a rake. Everything is optional, playing golf is optional.

Some people rake well, others don't. Years ago, you were just told to smooth out the sand with the back of your sand wedge upon leaving the trap. I remember seeing Gary Player do this during a match back then at Firestone Country Club. Other people have no idea what the rake is for.

Never said I was afraid. I always rake bunkers, that is when I'm in one. What's the problem? Paranoia not wanting to grab a rake

Yes it is optional because of the COVID-19 virus, however, your feet can certainly smooth out your deep footprints and gauge you left in the sand from your shot, with out being exposed to any virus. It’s only golfer courtesy.

Pro Shuffler
 

Perhaps you should learn more about the game that you just slammed. If you had taken the time to actually learn to play the real game of shuffleboard you would find there is much more to it than pushing a disc. I am a District, State, National and International Champion, inducted into 2 Hall of Fames and 2 time FSA Masters Champion. I teach many in the Villages and outside to play shuffleboard properly. There is more strategy in this game than any other you will ever play. Etiquette is equal to golf as I play both.

Al

During this pandemic I would continue to play bunkers as preferred lie. If you are in a footprint or disturbed area move it, if it’s a decent lie play it, if it’s league or match refer to the group leader. But for fun rounds, such as this, keep it in the trap, give yourself a lie similar to normal times.

Most rounds of golf at TV are for fun, exercise, socializing, sunshine and fresh air. We don’t really have to fret about unkept traps unless your in the club championship.

Even when this pandemic has subsided your going to have the same issues. For now if people want to manage their own safety issues, just work around it.

I took new to golf school here in April. None of those things were covered. I learned them by playing with my experienced golfer best friend. New to golf school certainly needs to include these in its curriculum.

Good for her. With Covid I don’t take the bunkers either.

Glad to hear it.
Been a lot of theft in TV lately!:icon_wink:

So well said , courtesy for other players seems to some, just let the ambassador do it that is their job. Another gripe is players playing back tees when it takes two shots to the green on a hundred yard hole, move up to the forward tees .

Whenever I am playing with someone that walks out of the trap without raking I just tell them "I'll get that". Usually they get the message and rake the next time... usually....

Since when is correct golf course etiquette optional?

Please explain...
 

Yes, please explain your comment.

Sorry folks
Covid. No rakes. No flags. Mask in waiting bullpen areas.

I think I did in a previous post. It's a "touchable" item and up to the discretion of an individual, with this paranoia of Covid if they want to "touch" something that someone they don't know has previously "touched". It's pure paranoia with a touch of laziness, and a lousy excuse to not rake if you ask me.

So what is the Etiquette in Shuffleboard that hinders the play of others if not followed?

Maybe for you but not if you have any concern for the people playing behind you. If you don't rake bunkers you shouldn't play at all.

Right now we are in a covid infection threat. I play golf twice a week but am reluctant to pick up a rake although I do it occasionally if I've severely messed up the sand. Long ago the rule became if you were in an unraked area, you can move your ball to a smooth area in the sand. It's not a big deal to do so and remember, it's just a game. We aren't pros and aren't trying to win a million dollars. With 21 new cases in the Villages yesterday, the worst it has been, I probably won't rake and I think they should remove the rakes again. It's not worth getting covid over.

So they don’t want to touch the rake, so I assume those that don’t also play with a mask on. 😎

Thank you.

I just carry a mini sanitizer in my pocket and use after any contact with common items. Backup in cart and in bag. No I do not wear a glove, haven’t since my teens.

I don't golf but understand exactly what you are saying. I feel the same about those THOUSANDS of grocery carts left in the parking spaces even when there is a return spot right beside them.

Good on you for showing by example!

As explained, raking traps remains optional. If your ball lands in an unraked spot....move it, this is not a PGA Tourney. Lighten Up people.

In many states , due to Covid 19 , rakes for bunkers are no longer put out on the courses. New rules are you can lift clean and place after smoothing out sand with your foot if you don’t want to play it as it lies . Keep in mind how many people handle the rakes and do you use hand sanitizer after touching the rake or use a sanitizing wipe on the handle after you touch the rake . Could be people are cautious not to touch the rakes due to Covid 19 concerns.
Flag sticks must be left in , no touching. Which leaving the flag stick in actually speeds up play .

"New to Golf" school" is something given by one the Villages instructors or a country club? The link in my post was to "The Villages Good Golf School", it's given once a month on a Thursday at Colony Cottage Rec Center. It's not geared towards a beginner, but more toward new to playing golf in TV. It's an introduction to the teetime system, local procedures such as raking, and most everything you'll need to know to play here. It's about 2-1/2 hours long with a country club pro providing the golf side of info and a Villages Golf Admin providing the technical side info.

If this is the class you took, they obviously have deleted some of the areas that should not have been. Since I had been playing about 50 years when I took the class almost ten years ago, where to replace the rake was one of the subjects I learned since every course can be different or not as detailed. The little white beacons at the end of most fairways, what does mean, the white beacon next to the cart path, items like these they will cover.

Here's another link with dates, next class is Thursday December 3rd, call (352) 750-4558 to reserve your spot.

https://www.golfthevillages.com/golf...GolfSchool.pdf

Optional due to COVID is the last I read from TV. Some still don’t want to touch it after many others have.

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Been playing golf since moving to TV 6 years ago - 4X per week.

Confused. What are these 'bunker' things you folks are talking about?
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People should really read through the whole thread, and the posts of others before making assumptions. If you are going to quote me please read all of my posts. Thank you!

:MOJE_whot:

Many pros use their shoe to smooth it out somewhat,
 

but what you missed was either the caddie going and doing the raking or a volunteer doing it. Pros don't use their putter head to take the ball out of hole either.

Hand sanitizer is what...
 

whenever I handle something that isn't mine. Quite simple really.

No it's not

Yes, but after Gary did this, his caddie meticulously raked the bunker. Have seen it in numerous pro tournaments.

Several years ago, I played with a lady that would not rake the bunker. I asked why. She said she was a priority member and wasn't required to rake bunkers. Some people just have a perpetual sense of entitlement.