In 2019, bunkers will be given their very own Rule number and specific relief Rules. Under Rule 12, players will be allowed to touch or move loose impediments in a bunker and will be generally allowed to touch the sand with a hand or club. However limitations will remain, including prohibiting testing the condition of the sand or touching the sand whilst preparing for the stroke.
In addition to this Rule change, when a player decides to treat their ball as unplayable within a bunker, there will now be an extra relief option: taking relief outside the bunker using the back-on-the-line procedure, for a total of two penalty strokes.
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