Steep faced bunkers and sand

[Jon Wiggett]

I am currently building a short 6 hole practice facility close to my home. We have a steep faced bunker and I am wondering if anyone here can give a few tips on how to construct so that the sand stays up the face.

[Pat Brockwell]

Don't quarrel with gravity, you'll not win.  I would say, if you're not interested in constantly raking/shovelling sand uphill, don't make the face too steep.  All of the sand at the beach started up on a mountain somewhere, so pick your battles.  I do think it's easier to shovel sand uphill than to grow turf on a vertical, or nearly vertical face.  If your soil allows, you could try a steep soil face down a foot or two to a point where it's easier to keep sand in place.  There are some soil stabilizers that can cut way down on the erosion and contamination that is an issue.  Good luck.

[Jeff_Brauer]

If you can wait a month or so, I will have a column in Golf Course Industry magazine on just that subject.......there are lots of different opinions from those that have tried to attack this problem.

[Kevin Pallier]

Build a sod faced bunker wall instead 

[Bill Brightly]

Yes, use grass and put the sand on the bottom where it belongs

[Brett Morris]

Jon,

There are liners like SandMat, Bunker Woll, Sand Trapper, BunkerMat, etc., which you pin to the sub-base and tuck in under the turf lip of the bunker.  The bunker sand then is incorporated into the fibres so when any rain period occurs the majority of the sand remains in place.  You can colour match the liner to your sand used.

If you don't want to use a liner you could try boxing the sub-base of your bunker when constructing (ie. have a vertical face in the sub-grade).  You can then shape your face with the bunker sand if it is a steep face.  This allows water to drain straight down through the sand with minimal washouts.  If you smooth the face when raking, it should achieve a firm result with minimal plugging.

[James Bennett]

Jon

I have no doubt that you would already be doing this, but a most critical aspect is to ensure that no surface water drains into the bunker onto that face from outside the bunker.

Then the next task is to ensure that the bunker face drains in such a way as to minimise the liklihood of the sand washing down.  I assume sub-surface drains appropriately placed will do the trick, and will be essential if the subsoil has any clay content.

Of course, in the UK, you are dealing with moderate rain as opposed to the "Noah's Ark" type floods that the US East coast 'enjoys'.  So, you do not have the same problem in dealing with downpours that might encourage grass faces to be otherwise preferred.

Good luck.  I look forward to hearing about Jeff Brauer's article.  And, when you do (occasionally) get a heavy extended downpour, look forward to some bunker maintenance.

James B

Edit

Jon, also make sure that there are no sub-surface water flows in the area of the bunker face.  I have also seen bunker wash-outs occur where the water has come from natural sub-surface drainage that interesects with the new bunker face.  These become apparent at times of constant rain, with the bunker face collapsing from within/underneath as opposed to from the surface.

[Jon Wiggett]

Kevin,

if nothing else works then this will be our last solution.

Jeff,

sorry, but if the weather holds then in 3 weeks we will be finished.

Brett,

will look into it, thanks.

James,

yes, I have considered all of your points already, thanks anyway.