You don't like hitting off of horrible lies from sand traps, so don't make those who follow you do it. Follow these tips from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. (To see these tips demonstrated in photos, also visit our article, How to Rake Sand Bunkers.)

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 30-60 seconds

Here's How:

1. Try to enter and exit the bunker from the point that's closest to your ball, but most level to the adjacent playing surface.
2. Don't try to climb out by going up a steep bunker face (you can damage the lip of the bunker and displace too much sand).
3. Always rake the bunker immediately after your sand shot.
4. Be careful not to pull excess sand to the lip of the bunker. Alternate between pulling sand toward you and pushing it back with the tines of the rake, thus making a relatively even surface without displacing too much sand.
5. According to the USGA, the guideline for placement of bunker rakes is "out and down." The rake should be placed outside the bunker, lying flat on the ground, and pointed in the direction of play (parallel to the likely flight of the ball).

What You Need:

• Sand wedge
• Golf ball
• Rake
• Golf shoes