AstroTurf in a bunker

[Robster59]

I thought this might interest a few people. Our club picked up AstroTurf from an old professional training pitch which has been used for making paths around the course, but this is something new I've not seen before.
AstroTurf in a Bunker at East Ren

 

[rulefan]

It is now an Immovable Obstruction so you don't have to play out of it.

(PS I can't hear the explanation sound).

 

[Arthur Wedge]

It is now an Immovable Obstruction so you don't have to play out of it.

(PS I can't hear the explanation sound).

Why is that

 

[D-S]

Why is that

I assume because it is an abnormal course condition immovable obstruction (an artificial surface) and unless it is declared an integral part of the course by the committee, you will get relief.

 

[Mel Smooth]

It is now an Immovable Obstruction so you don't have to play out of it.

(PS I can't hear the explanation sound).

It’s a bunker liner.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I assume because it is an abnormal course condition (an artificial surface) and unless it is declared an integral part of the course by the committee, you will get relief.

It’s a bunker - sand is added on top

It’s no different to those that use multiple types of base layers in the bunker

 

[D-S]

It’s a bunker - sand is added on top

It’s no different to those that use multiple types of base layers in the bunker

If it interferes with your swing and it is not declared to be integral, then you get relief.

 

[kp17]

I think Barry should’ve gave his jacket a wash before the interview

 

[rulefan]

Why is that

I don't use facebook and hadn't realised there was a sound icon.
All OK now

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

We have used redundant astroturf when rebuilding the reverted faces (not bases as here) of all of our bunkers. We did not originally have the new faces declared Integral Objects, so the faces were immovable artificial obstructions with associated free relief.

Following discussion and advice on the matter from this forum that I communicated to the club, the IO declaration was added to our LRs.

 

[KenL]

I expect that, unless they put in enough sand (too much for good bunker play) and if the bunker is not well raked then this approach will end up not being very good.

I hope they are only doing one initially to test it.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I expect that, unless they put in enough sand (too much for good bunker play) and if the bunker is not well raked then this approach will end up not being very good.

I hope they are only doing one initially to test it.

I think it's quite a standard procedure to line a bunker (I assume it also depends on the sub soil) for many courses. I know ours have liners in them - I think what East Renfrewshire are doing here is just recycling a product that they feel works well for them in comparison to a standard bunker liner.

 

[KenL]

I think it's quite a standard procedure to line a bunker (I assume it also depends on the sub soil) for many courses. I know ours have liners in them - I think what East Renfrewshire are doing here is just recycling a product that they feel works well for them in comparison to a standard bunker liner.

I’ve played in a couple of places where the liner has started to break down or show through and have an impact on play.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I’ve played in a couple of places where the liner has started to break down or show through and have an impact on play.

So have I. But the bunkers can't be constructed effectively on those soil types without them. We have a couple of spots where the thin liner has lifted out through the sand due to ground movement - but I'd suspect the heavier astroturf type matting helps prevent this.

 

[Paperboy]

Worst thing our club did was use astroturf for the riveting on our bunkers.
We're on chalk course drains very well, in the summer the turf on top of the astro burns out / Dies completely tried lots of different ideas to prevent it but to no effect.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I don't use facebook and hadn't realised there was a sound icon.
All OK now

My question was more aimed towards the “now you don’t have to play out of it”

 

[cliveb]

My course is on clay. The bunker liners used to be some kind of fabric sheet, but we're going through a gradual process of rebuilding them and they are being lined with some kind of black rubber granules. Have seen the same stuff at other courses. I think it's made from old tyres, and have been told it is not cheap.
This is the first time I've heard of astroturf being used.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

My course is on clay. The bunker liners used to be some kind of fabric sheet, but we're going through a gradual process of rebuilding them and they are being lined with some kind of black rubber granules. Have seen the same stuff at other courses. I think it's made from old tyres, and have been told it is not cheap.
This is the first time I've heard of astroturf being used.

Our bunkers when redone are lined with a rubber crumb which is mixed with a resin so it can’t be moved.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Worst thing our club did was use astroturf for the riveting on our bunkers.
We're on chalk course drains very well, in the summer the turf on top of the astro burns out / Dies completely tried lots of different ideas to prevent it but to no effect.

We don't seem to have had that problem - at least not that it is noticeable. Our fairway bunkers have natural wild heathland growth on the top, our green side bunkers are turfed and they seem fine. We are on heathland so so pretty good draining.

I don't think we have used bunker liners on the base of each bunker, but I'm not sure on that.

 

[cliveb]

Our bunkers when redone are lined with a rubber crumb which is mixed with a resin so it can’t be moved.

Sounds like the same stuff we use. Ours are also fixed in some way. Black in colour, the crumbs are about an inch?
I'm told it allows the bunker to drain, and stops clay and stones leeching up into the sand.

Have to say that the bunkers which have been redone with this rubber lining are much better than the old ones which are yet to be rebuilt.
Would be interesting to find out if astroturf works as well - because it would probably be much cheaper.