Fairway Bunker survey

[Ron]

Curious how others feel about fairway bunker depth, placement, how they affect your tee shot, and the damages one should incur if you hit in them.

Ron

[JP]

Fairway bunkers should be shallow, the very fact that you are in sand instead of short grass is penal enough as far as I'm concerned. As for placement, I would say in the typical landing areas for players using the back 2 tee positions. Players using more forward tees than that usually have enough troubles with their scoring without fairway bunkers being in the mix. Further more, I prefer the bunkering to go along the same line as the fairway, and not across the fairway which should be a safe place to hit a ball at all times.

I voted no if for no other reason than the fact that those are the only kind I have played. I have pulled off some pretty good shots from fairway bunkers using long irons, but usually the cost of landing in one is being unable to reach the green in regulation. However, as a medium handicap player I would hate to see all fairway bunkers look like the ones in Ireland or some of those monsters at Augusta.

Of course, if you are a pro making big bucks, maybe a wedge is appropriate...
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"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing." Dave Barry

[stammalammy]

Yeah, what JP said.

Seriously he summed up my thoughts pretty well.
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"It's kind of like going to a college football game and being there with a helmet on your head. That's what I reckon it feels like." - Boo Weekley in response to the Ryder Cup crowd.

[wilma]

Ron;

This is an all or nothing poll. Most good courses fall between. Most fairway bunkers are going to require and very good shot to reach the green, and good shot to reach areas around the green, and just something short and careful to 'take the full medicine' and hope for a good approach.

But those courses often also have bunkers intended to be very penal, and getting back to the fairway with some small advance is likely your realistic play. These might be used for otherwise wide open fairways on shorter par-4's and to penalize those who try and hit badly on reachable par-5's. "You pays your money and you takes your chances" to those who 'go for it'.

While I prefer nice flat bunkers for my own comfort, due to having remained in the steeper and deeper ones too often, I think those tough ones are a legitimate tool of the architect.

Doug
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125yd hole out for Eagle at #7, Stonelick Hills, with a 9-iron. 6/13/06. 115yd Hole out for Eagle on #9, Stonelick Hills. 10/22/08.

[Ron]

I agree that it is an all or nothing poll. That is what I wanted, because that is how it has been presented to me and I was curious how others would respond. I agree that the deeper bunkers have their place, I just don't think they need to litter the course, which is the case in some Dye design. You have to consider the rest of the hole design too.

I know its not worth arguing with John about anymore, because his answer to me was to qoute an article written by someone else containing a qoute from the architect (Dye) defending his use of the type of bunkers John and I were arguing about. OF COURSE Dye likes his own design style. That was pretty funny actually. And then John told me that something he was unable to descibe in his own words, by his admission, was one of the most basic design concepts.

He's not much for the back and forth thing....he ask me a bunch of questions...I try to politely answer...even the condescending ones. I ask him one question...twice...he ignores it. So I'm giving up on that one. To be honest, I don't think we were that far off on the subject. I think he got somemthing in his head and woudn't let it go.

Please try another poll that you think reflects the question in another light if you like. Perhaps more options. I'll vote again.

Ron

[scottyb]

Fairway bunkers should carry a reasonable penalty, but I think one stroke should be plenty. By that, I mean those that should take the risk in flying over a bunker to shorten the hole, or not accomplished enough to be somewhat consistent off the tee should realize a one stroke against GIR. Let the wedge do the talking inside 100 yards to try to salvage par. I can't quote statistics on the average handicap carried by so-called "recreational" players as most of us on the forum are, but to penalize us 'daily fee' players with absurd bunkering is something that might persuade me not to play a course. It's doubtful that many of us will make a living on the links save for the resident club pros (God Love 'Em!). I and most like me play for fun. Pete Dye has the mentality to take some fun out of the game for us hacks. Not to mention the fees charged at those courses is pretty prohibitive. I don't mind being challenged but I would like to have a fighting chance. Oh, I forgot.............. Voted No.

[thurman]

I look at bunkering the same way I look at anything else on a golf course. I like the hazards and "tough spots" on a course to be penal, but also to stratify good players from bad. By "stratify", I mean that if two players hit into a fairway bunker, the better player should be able to use superior skill to outperform the lesser.

If you force players to just pitch back to the fairway, then skill, course management, and risk/reward don't come into play. To me, that defeats the purpose of the game and takes the shotmaking and creativity out of it. Bad situations on the course should (usually) give the player some sort of choice for how to get out that can make him conservative and wise, heroic, or a total dunce.
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"Focus on golf. Screw everything else." - Earl Woods

[jjasper13]

I played with Ron once at Belterra. Obviously a much better player than me, he was kicking my tail all day. On one par 4, he hit into a fairway bunker. I thought, "ha, I've got him now". Then he hit a shot out of the bunker, clearing the lip, fading it around some trees and landing it withing a few feet of the pin. My jaw dropped in amazement. I'll never forget that shot.

Jonathan

[JP]

Yeah he plays pretty good for a sailor
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"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing." Dave Barry

[Ron]

These fond memory moments have inspired me to head out to the range tonight...I may even play a round or two this week.

Ron

[Ron]

These fond memory moments have inspired me to head out to the range tonight...I may even play a round or two this week.

Ron

[JP]

Got room for two players Friday @ 9:30. We're playin' The Bull.
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"Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing." Dave Barry