There’s No Sand in the Bunkers!
Bunker advice USGA
Perhaps the area of the golf course that receives the greatest amount of discussion, generates the utmost frustration and is criticised the most is the bunkers. But bunkers are an important component of many golf courses, and as B.C. Forbes (the founder of Forbes magazine) once said, “Golf without bunkers and hazards would be tame and monotonous. So would life.” Bunkers add texture and definition to the golf hole, elevating the golfer experience. They can also be a source of frustration, especially when the sand becomes very firm.
One of the most common golfer complaints is that there is no sand in the bunkers. I have come to understand that this usually means the bunker sand is just very firm, not absent. Firm sand makes it difficult to hit a normal sand splash shot using the bounce on the wedge, and very easy to send the golf ball skyrocketing well beyond the green. When bunkers are this hard, golfers are inclined to think it’s because there is no sand. In some cases, this is absolutely true, but in many instances there is plenty of sand – it is just compacted.
What causes compacted sand in bunkers?
When sand depth is 3 inches or less, bunkers will likely be too firm because the sand holds too much moisture. Contaminated sand is another cause of excessively firm conditions. Sand can be contaminated by soil and debris that was carried by wind or water into the bunkers. The contamination slows water infiltration – sometimes to the point of puddling – causing firmer conditions. It may be a little surprising, but complaints of firm bunker sand are far more prevalent in the summer, especially in arid climates. More-frequent irrigation in the summer usually means more water is reaching the sand, keeping it moist and firm.
How can courses fix overly firm bunkers?
Maintaining at least 4 inches of sand in the bottom of the bunker is important. In some cases, it may be necessary to maintain a depth of 8-9 inches depending on the sand and liner type. A deeper sand layer typically means dry sand at the surface, resulting in softer playing conditions. The deep sand also provides a good buffer between the surface of the sand and the underlying soil or bunker liner. However, deeper sand can become excessively soft when dry, leading to fried-egg lies. This is a good time to remind everyone that bunkers are never perfect, nor should they be! One of the best quotes on this subject came from none other than Old Tom Morris: “Bunkers are not meant to be places of pleasure, they are prisons for punishment and repentance.”
Courses can fluff up overly firm sand with aggressive raking techniques, but this only temporarily softens it. The bunkers will soon revert back to firm conditions, especially with highly contaminated sand. Something needs to change to keep the sand from becoming firm again. That could be periodic rototilling, which can be necessary every month for extremely firm sand. If firm conditions persist, it is time to replace the sand. Typically, it is recommended to replace bunker sand about every 10 years.
If you find yourself in a greenside bunker that has compacted sand, dig in and make the best of a difficult shot that is a direct result of your previous errant shot. You can certainly let the golf shop know about the firm conditions, but as former PGA Tour player Graham DeLaet eloquently said: “Everyone is going to make bogeys and doubles and get bad breaks in bunkers. It's just kind of licking your wounds and taking what it gives you and move on.”
Vicars Cross greens team will be upgrading some bunkers this winter and will continue to put a liners into these bunkers to reduce the contamination of sands. The wet weather continues to make this situation more challenging but will will try to keep the bunkers in the best condition possible throughout the winter.
One of the most common golfer complaints is that there is no sand in the bunkers. I have come to understand that this usually means the bunker sand is just very firm, not absent. Firm sand makes it difficult to hit a normal sand splash shot using the bounce on the wedge, and very easy to send the golf ball skyrocketing well beyond the green. When bunkers are this hard, golfers are inclined to think it’s because there is no sand. In some cases, this is absolutely true, but in many instances there is plenty of sand – it is just compacted.
What causes compacted sand in bunkers?
When sand depth is 3 inches or less, bunkers will likely be too firm because the sand holds too much moisture. Contaminated sand is another cause of excessively firm conditions. Sand can be contaminated by soil and debris that was carried by wind or water into the bunkers. The contamination slows water infiltration – sometimes to the point of puddling – causing firmer conditions. It may be a little surprising, but complaints of firm bunker sand are far more prevalent in the summer, especially in arid climates. More-frequent irrigation in the summer usually means more water is reaching the sand, keeping it moist and firm.
How can courses fix overly firm bunkers?
Maintaining at least 4 inches of sand in the bottom of the bunker is important. In some cases, it may be necessary to maintain a depth of 8-9 inches depending on the sand and liner type. A deeper sand layer typically means dry sand at the surface, resulting in softer playing conditions. The deep sand also provides a good buffer between the surface of the sand and the underlying soil or bunker liner. However, deeper sand can become excessively soft when dry, leading to fried-egg lies. This is a good time to remind everyone that bunkers are never perfect, nor should they be! One of the best quotes on this subject came from none other than Old Tom Morris: “Bunkers are not meant to be places of pleasure, they are prisons for punishment and repentance.”
Courses can fluff up overly firm sand with aggressive raking techniques, but this only temporarily softens it. The bunkers will soon revert back to firm conditions, especially with highly contaminated sand. Something needs to change to keep the sand from becoming firm again. That could be periodic rototilling, which can be necessary every month for extremely firm sand. If firm conditions persist, it is time to replace the sand. Typically, it is recommended to replace bunker sand about every 10 years.
If you find yourself in a greenside bunker that has compacted sand, dig in and make the best of a difficult shot that is a direct result of your previous errant shot. You can certainly let the golf shop know about the firm conditions, but as former PGA Tour player Graham DeLaet eloquently said: “Everyone is going to make bogeys and doubles and get bad breaks in bunkers. It's just kind of licking your wounds and taking what it gives you and move on.”
Vicars Cross greens team will be upgrading some bunkers this winter and will continue to put a liners into these bunkers to reduce the contamination of sands. The wet weather continues to make this situation more challenging but will will try to keep the bunkers in the best condition possible throughout the winter.