rules question

13-4/37  Ball Played from Bunker Is Out of Bounds or Lost; Player Tests Condition of Bunker or Smoothes Footprints Before Dropping Another Ball in Bunker

Q. A player plays from a bunker and his ball comes to rest out of bounds or is lost. He smoothes his footprints in the bunker at the place where he must drop a ball under Rule 27-1 or, before dropping a ball under Rule 27-1, he takes a few practice swings touching the sand in the bunker. Is the player in breach of Rule 13-4?

A. No. The prohibitions in Rule 13-4 apply only when the player's ball is in the hazard or when it has been lifted from a hazard and may be dropped or placed in the hazard. In this case, the player's ball has been played from the hazard rather than lifted.

Furthermore, Exception 2 under Rule 13-4 allows a player, after playing his ball out of a hazard, to smooth sand or soil in the hazard, without restriction. This right overrides any conflicting provisions in other Rules, including Rule 13-2.

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Decision 13-4/37 says:

The decision applies to the the OP's case as well, since the ball was played out of the bunker and is required by rule to be dropped back in the bunker.  Note the last sentence which I underlined and bolded.

Originally Posted by ohio golfer

Yours is an interesting take on the scenario because 13-4/37 is about OB or lost balls, not at all what the OP asked about.