Bunker design and the rules of golf

[Dan_Callahan]

I was watching the European Tour at Laguna National over the weekend, and the came across an interesting design quirk that I had not seen before. (I apologize in advance, because I know won't do a good job describing this.) Some of the bunkers had vertical wood planks (looked like 2x4s) supporting the bunker walls. The bunker I saw didn't seem to have a steep face, and the wood fanned across the grass face in an evenly spaced pattern (with grass between each board). Is there a name for this kind of bunker?

Anyway, the commentators started talking about the bunkers and said that the boards were immovable obstructions—a player was entitled to a drop when his ball came to rest against the boards or if the boards interfered with his swing in any way.

As far as I can tell, the analysts were correct about the rule. Granted, the boards probably come into play only a tiny percent of the time, but it seems like a not-so penal use of a bunker. Why would an architect want to give a player such a break after hitting an errant shot? Is the wood there only for aesthetics?

[John_Cullum]

The bunker could be made more penal by deeming the planks as integral parts of the course. This prevents relief as they are no longer considered obstructions.

[Dan_Callahan]

Sarge,

Is that a decision made by the course? Does the Tour make that determination when it goes to the site?

[John_Cullum]

It can be adopted as a local rule. The PGA Tour routinely adopts such a local rule.

[A_Clay_Man]

There's a similar odd use of wood planks at Heather Glen In Myrtle Beach. As I recall, they reside on the leeward Green) side of a large mound that intersects the line of play perpendicularly.

Another place is my new home coure Riverview. On Baxter Spann's par 3 15th, wooden planks similar as you described (but not exactly) were added to shore up the dirt above the bunker and between the green.

As for the immovable obstruction... I don't know, they are natural and IMO are an integral part of the course. But, that's just me.

[peter_p]

They are immovable obstructions, and free relief is available as long as you remain in the bunker. The players don't seem to be gaining any advantage. The planks are probably there for maintenance issues.

[Dennis_Harwood]

Safety reasons-- Bunkers are designed to be played out of under the Rules of Golf(contrary to water hazards--that is why Rule 26 allows relief from WHs under a one stroke penalty)--

Players in bunkers are therefore entited to relief from Immovable obstructions(planks, bridges, steps, etc) in bunkers so long as relief is taken in the bunker--Rule 24-2b(ii)(a)-- Of course if the player wants to take relief outside the bunker a new Rule change this year, 24-2b(ii)(b) allows the player to take relief outside the bunker in getting relief from an IO under penalty of one stroke(same as the WH rule)--

Finally, the Committee, if it believes course playability overcomes safety concerns, can make the obstructions an intregal part of the course, in which case no relief under Rule 24(the player can declare unplayable under Rule 28 and get relief from the plank, but he pays a stroke penalty AND must take relief in the bunker(unless he takes relief under stroke and distance -- 28a))

[JSlonis]

As I recall, aren't there wooden planks in some of the bunkers at Harbor Town?  I don't remember a player ever getting any kind of relief from them.  In fact, I do remember seeing Johnny Miller purposely riccocheting a ball of the wooden planks in a greenside bunker on the 17th hole because he didn't have a stance that would have allowed him to play the ball toward the green.

Are the bunker designs at Harbor Town similar to the Laguna National course?

Either way, it seems like poor design or a poor ruling.  I don't like the fact that if your ball ends up in a hazard that you are entitled to any relief.  

[Brian_Ewen]

"Are the bunker designs at Harbor Town similar to the Laguna National course?"

Well , supposedly Laguna National was designed by Pete Dye , this is according to the media , commentators etc. , but I cant find any proof of this .

Brian

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

I watched some of the tournament this past week and saw the the bunkers mentioned.  The wooden boards could have been deemed outside the hazard.  I think the course is on reclaimed jungle swamp land and the boards were a way of creating support and erosion control.  Though the course is attributed to Pete Dye, I would imagine that it is a Dye design and Pete had little imput, if any imput.

[moth]

Laguna is a Dye Designs course - overseen by Andy Dye, who moved to Singapore for the duration. Pete came to site once, he is not too fond of Asia apparently.

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