Rules query on Hitting Lip of Bunker

[Stirky12]

I should answer the answer to this but just want clarification from the community if possible. My opponent in a match hit his ball into a green side bunker by the back lip and in playing his shot caught the grass lip of the bunker. Should he have been penalised for this ? Any help greatly appreciated Stirky 12.

[Zeph]

Rules that are in play:

Quote:

13-4 . Ball In Hazard; Prohibited Actions

Except as provided in the Rules , before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard ) or that, having been lifted from a hazard , may be dropped or placed in the hazard , the player must not:

a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard ;

b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or

c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard .

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-13/#13-4

Quote:

Bunker

A “ bunker ’’ is a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like.

Grass-covered ground bordering or within a bunker , including a stacked turf face (whether grass-covered or earthen), is not part of the bunker . A wall or lip of the bunker not covered with grass is part of the bunker . The margin of a bunker extends vertically downwards, but not upwards.

A ball is in a bunker when it lies in or any part of it touches the bunker .

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Definitions/#Bunker

Given the highlighted parts above and assuming that a decision like 33-8/39.5 is not in play, I don't see him doing anything illegal. The lip is not a part of the bunker unless otherwise specified, which means he didn't touch the ground of the hazard.

[edwjmcgrath]

I should answer the answer to this but just want clarification from the community if possible.

My opponent in a match hit his ball into a green side bunker by the back lip and in playing his shot caught the grass lip of the bunker. Should he have been penalised for this ?

Any help greatly appreciated

Stirky 12.

If what you are saying that his club touched the grass lip of the bunker during his swing, then no penalty since it's not part of the bunker.

[Rulesman]

This below was omitted from the quote in post #2 above.

Note: At any time, including at address or in the backward movement for the stroke , the player may touch, with a club or otherwise, any obstruction , any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course or any grass , bush, tree or other growing thing.