You will incur the general penalty for grounding your club in a bunker as follows:
A. Deliberately touch sand in the bunker with a hand, club, rake or other object to test the condition of the sand to learn information for the next stroke, or
Touch sand in the bunker with a club:
B. In the area right in front of or right behind the ball (except as allowed under Rule 7.1a in fairly searching for a ball or under Rule 12.2a in removing a loose impediment or movable obstruction),
C. In making a practice swing, or
D. In making the backswing for a stroke.
There are some exceptions:
1. Digging in with the feet to take a stance for a practice swing or the stroke,
2. Smoothing the bunker to care for the course,
3. Placing clubs, equipment or other objects in the bunker (whether by throwing or setting them down),
4. Measuring, marking, lifting, replacing or taking other actions under a Rule,
5. Leaning on a club to rest, stay balanced or prevent a fall, or
6. Striking the sand in frustration or anger.
Rule 12.2
