When a player asks if there is a bunker on the left side of the fairway and receives an affirmative response, what is the ruling?

The ruling in this situation indicates that no penalty is applied when a player inquires about the presence of a bunker on the left side of the fairway and receives an affirmative response. According to the Rules of Golf, players are allowed to ask for information regarding the course, which includes the presence of hazards such as bunkers.

When a player asks a fellow competitor or an official about course conditions, they are seeking clarification and it is permissible to provide that information. In this case, receiving an affirmative response simply informs the player about the course layout and does not incur any penalties or obligations to take a specific action, such as playing from the bunker or taking a drop.

This ruling reinforces the principle that communication regarding course conditions is part of the game and is intended to ensure fairness and understanding among players. Therefore, the correct response to the player's inquiry about the bunker does not result in any penalty.