Golf Random Irritations

[AliMc]

What do people feel is the proper level of sand?
I’d rather have it an inch thick than 6 inches thick.

It's not just that Ken It's got a lot to do with the way folk rake them, those that can be bothered anyway
As an aside I played last Weds after that rain we had and I was 100% up and down for 3 greenside bunker shots, with the sand just compacted a wee bit they were so good to play from, certainly better than my efforts with the lob wedge from tight lies !

 

[Arthur Wedge]

What do people feel is the proper level of sand?
I’d rather have it an inch thick than 6 inches thick.

Depends on the makeup of the bunker and where it’s located on the course

Consistency is the key

But as I always remind people - bunkers have moving objects in them so the depth will always change


And before worrying about how much sand is in - I’ll be more than happy if people can take them when they use them

 

[sunshine]

The finishing on our bunkers. For some reason we have opted to grow the grass on the edges of our bunkers

IMO it look scruffy but it leaves unplayable shots where the ball gets buried in grass just on the edge of the bunker

Left myself this beauty at the weekend.

View attachment 58681

I think the “eyebrows” look is to reduce maintenance and wear and tear. It’s tricky to mow these areas and the turf will slip when people walk on it

 

[Orikoru]

I don't mind as long as they are all similar

Beat me to it - would be nice to play somewhere where all the bunkers have the same amount of sand, whatever that may be.

 

[clubchamp98]

we had our bunkers re done a few years back , and they have this rubber crumb base which the water drains through, its a good idea. the only downer is that when the sand in the middle gets low you tend to bounce your club of the rubber into the ball and it will fly all over the shop.

We have felt linings and if there isn’t enough sand ( the norm) you can’t play a splash bunker shot there shocking.

 

[Imurg]

Had an update from the club about bunkers yesterday
Normally we have to water our bunkers because they dry out very quickly and then the wind blows the sand around creating uneven levels.
With it being so dry we've had to prioritise Greens and Tees with our limited watering capability.
So our bunker sand is dry and mobile!
I'd rather have greens and tees watered and leave the bunkers to the elements....

 

[clubchamp98]

Is there a recommended figure or is random for each club? @clubchamp98 do you know on this one?

4” of sand packed down and 1” of loose sand is perfect.
Not really sure if there’s a recommended amount.
Depends on the course as well Birkdale would be different to Belfry

A lot of courses use these linings but they dry the sand out very quickly and the high winds blows it away.

 

[Red devil]

The finishing on our bunkers. For some reason we have opted to grow the grass on the edges of our bunkers

IMO it look scruffy but it leaves unplayable shots where the ball gets buried in grass just on the edge of the bunker

Left myself this beauty at the weekend.

View attachment 58681

Should have done like some American pro's do (yes you Reed and Spieth). "Just checking it's my ball" then place on the top of the grass.

 

[Mandofred]

I've been trying this year especially to just hit less than an inch behind the ball with a pretty open club. I don't want to hit a "splash" shot.....too many variables in the sand. I'd rather pick the ball with just a little bit of sand to soften the hit......I suck at it, but that's what I've trying to do.

 

[HampshireHog]

Should have done like some American pro's do (yes you Reed and Spieth). "Just checking it's my ball" then place on the top of the grass.

But like a knob, I elected to try to take a stance in the bunker gripping the metal on the shaft. With predictable results

 

[Springveldt]

You appear to have sand in your bunker, how quaint.

Is it a light dusting or the quarter of an inch variety?

At mine the answer would be "depends on what bunker you are in". We have a light dusting to 12 inches depending on bunker and where you land in it.

 

[Springveldt]

The finishing on our bunkers. For some reason we have opted to grow the grass on the edges of our bunkers

IMO it look scruffy but it leaves unplayable shots where the ball gets buried in grass just on the edge of the bunker

Left myself this beauty at the weekend.

View attachment 58681

They have been doing this at my current place to "give it a more rustic look". It's bloody annoying when you land in it and have no shot as you don't have a stance and the ball is buried 6 inches deep.

At my old place they did it on a few bunkers to protect the grass as the sand coming out the bunkers was then burning off all the grass when the sun hit it.

 

[HampshireHog]

They have been doing this at my current place to "give it a more rustic look". It's bloody annoying when you land in it and have no shot as you don't have a stance and the ball is buried 6 inches deep.

At my old place they did it on a few bunkers to protect the grass as the sand coming out the bunkers was then burning off all the grass when the sun hit it.

It’s annoying since the bunker is supposed to be the hazard not the immediate surrounding area.

 

[clubchamp98]

If they put that grass in the bunker there would be no need for sand.!

We have one like that it is as much of a hazard if not more.

Given the price of sand now I can see some clubs doing this in the future.

 

[The Squirrel]

If they put that grass in the bunker there would be no need for sand.!

We have one like that it is as much of a hazard if not more.

Given the price of sand now I can see some clubs doing this in the future.

Not a golf history expert but wouldn't that take bunkers back to something like what they were originally before the 20th century manicuring of courses?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Grass bunkers are very good

Berkhampstead has only grass bunkers and they are still a hazard

 

[Golfnut1957]

At mine the answer would be "depends on what bunker you are in". We have a light dusting to 12 inches depending on bunker and where you land in it.

Snap, just the same at my club, however we can have a variation within an individual bunker. It's not unusual for me to go into a bunker, discover a good depth of sand by testing it the sand with my feet and as a consequence attempt a full splash shot only to find a layer of dust coving concrete.

The outcome is inevitable.

 

[upsidedown]

There are multiple clubs that don’t host county events - we only hosting this year because it was our centenary , each club has the right to turn down hosting county events and we have done multiple times in the past.

It's a shame clubs are taking that stance as County events are the stepping stones that aspiring juniors will be playing in and then hopefully onto bigger and better .Chipping Forecast were talking about it this week in the wake if Lottie Woads win

 

[Arthur Wedge]

It's a shame clubs are taking that stance as County events are the stepping stones that aspiring juniors will be playing in and then hopefully onto bigger and better .Chipping Forecast were talking about it this week in the wake if Lottie Woads win

It is a shame - can only judge by our county they need to do more to help all the clubs , they also need to dial back the self importance

We have made massive strides with our juniors and host junior events regularly

A number of other clubs don’t and also when it comes to county events other clubs don’t open their doors to help out the hosting club

 

[clubchamp98]

Not a golf history expert but wouldn't that take bunkers back to something like what they were originally before the 20th century manicuring of courses?

Always thought bunkers were holes worn out of banks by sheep to shelter from the wind on link land .
Due to the land they were sand based.

Not sure if this is true or not.

Parkland never really had sand bunkers I assume.
So long rough would make sense.