Do our courses need to try harder?

[GB72]

I would assume that bunkers are one of the more expensive parts of the course to maintain and hence the variable quality that we find on a weekly basis. We have very few bunkers on our course but those that are there do come into play for most people so I am happy with that. Still, would rather see more and better sand in them. No chance of taking plenty of sand and blasting out of a greenside bunker unless you want to break a wrist.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I think James Braid knew what he was doing. Adding bunkering like that to Prestonfield would be entirely out of character with the place.

 

[JustOne]

The question wasn't specifically about bunkers, I meant the whole course in general... you know... tidying up the scrappy parts, thinning out the brambles, keeping the tees presentable etc etc.

You're right about bunkers flooding but then we could try and build them properly in the first place so that they drain!

 

[0]

As people rightly say the weather here would make those bunkers look pretty silly in the winter months.
I prefer water, and I don't mean a 250 yard carry over a lake or the 17th at Sawgrass, just a small pond or two near the greens.
Great for wild life, help the drainage of the course and punish shots that miss the green.

 

[viscount17]

Give them their due, the greenkeepers are out and about more often than not. They've planted another 40 trees this year with the same planned for next. just lately they've also been trimming trees, hedgerows and edges; building a new tee and sorting drainage so they've not been idle.
it's all a question of priorities - and ours may not be theirs.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

The question wasn't specifically about bunkers, I meant the whole course in general... you know... tidying up the scrappy parts, thinning out the brambles, keeping the tees presentable etc etc.

Yes, some do need to try harder!

 

[richart]

Happy with our course,and wouldn't want any more trees, bushes taken out,as course will lose its character. Not keen on huge bunkers, for bunkers sake. New designers should look at the work of Harry Colt,and some of the other old boys. Natural courses which don't have to be long to be difficult.

 

[pokerjoke]

Some definately,although its not an easy job,im sure some could do more.Its like anything youve got to keep on top of things or they start getting out of control.On the topic of bunkers they seem to need more maintenence than grass,im all for bunkers,but as has been said,bunkers in winter,useless.

 

[RGDave]

There are lots of ways to make a course look good/better and appealing. Sadly, most courses don't have the inclination (money? time? staff?) to be inventive.
We have a few bunker-free holes, and it would be great to put in a ditch or two, maybe cut the fairway less straight.
I like courses with humps and bumps - how hard would it be to move some earth around?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I quite like the way our new (5 years) course was put together. THere are some bunkers that are redundant. The one on the right at our 5th at about 290 springs to mind. Only time I see people in there is if they slice right and try and be greedy with the next.

The greenstaff have done a lot of work on keeping the ditches clear to let water drain. I'd like to see some more planting and I'm geting frustrated that the trees already in place don't really define the holes yet. Mind you give it another 5 years and I'll be whinging like buggery. We have had problems with our bunkers (stones mainly) but apart from that I thnk they are doing a good job within the financial constraints the club impose

 

[viscount17]

humps and bumps is the obvious solution for low-lying courses, if you can't go down . . - and it's not as if there's been a dearth of available soil recently. in fact a few courses got a little greedy in taking the 'olympic' spoil that they've made rather a dog's breakfast of their course.
one near Hatfield springs to mind, Canon's Brook

 

[brendy]

I can think of 6 courses local to me that are over 100 years old.... dont think Florida was populated until the 1920's.

Things were done different in Britain all those years ago.
I do like american style courses tho.

Its a little like parts of Germany and Japan, they were bombed flat and now look head and shoulders aged of other cities/countries that got away from being too heavily bombed.
Chalk and cheese but are either necessarily better in their prime?

 

[19th]

I do think that courses are a direct reflection of their head greenkeeper/greens convener.

If the green keeper has an additional degree of understanding of the game in the form of lower handicap or even appreciation of a players preception, the course will be manicured to reflect this.

Over the years Nairn Golf Club has illustrated this with Ian Carson, their(about to retire) greenkeeper, a low handicap golfer using all his skills to offer the course always at it's best. His ability has been recognised by all sectors of the golfing scene but he goes about his work, rather like a football referee, performing best when little noticed.

I am certain that there must be many Ian Carson's fighting the elements on our behalf with little recognision, some with the benefit of good golfing terrain others having to make the most of a bad hand and they should all be applauded.

No doubt they are already plotting to add a wee bit something different to the course to catch us out next year!

 

[Robobum]

A lot to do with cold hard cash in the end.

You can have the best greenkeeper on the planet but give him 1 assistant, a fork and a flymo and there is only so much he can do.

You can see what miracles can be done with cash and numbers - that's the only way the Ryder Cup got finished this year.

Would that 10 acre bunker on the OP look as nice if it hadn't been raked for a week because there wasn't enough greenkeepers to do that job??

 

[In_The_Rough]

A lot of the Yank courses are immaculate and generally better maintained but that as said is to do with them having bucketloads of cash to chuck at them. We have friends who live on this resort http://www.eqresorts.com/divide/golf-ski-main.htm
and it is simply stunning to play. The bunkers over there do not have to be that penal as the greens are like lightning trying to stop the ball on those surfaces is a art in itself. While we were out there we drove through Arizona and there was a new Course being constructed and the clubhouse was costing 30 million $ to build