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Venues & surfaces

Bunker

A sand-filled hollow on a golf course that acts as a hazard.

Venues & surfaces

Definition

A bunker is a shallow hollow or depression on a golf course that is filled with sand and placed as a hazard. A ball that comes to rest in a bunker usually has to be played with a specific technique to lift it back out onto the grass.

The rules treat a bunker as a special area with its own restrictions, such as not grounding the club in the sand before making the stroke. Course designers position bunkers to guard greens and tempting landing areas.

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