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[David Druzisky]

Sean,

You bet!

Come to think of it there are very few courses - and great ones at that - that I have played over there and even remember their bunkers from a style standpoint.  I just remember how they dictated play.  I have more memories of how severe specific ones were and were they were located in reference to how I thought I would play the hole until I realized otherwise.

[David Stamm]

For my part, I would like to hear from those who know the courses well enough to discuss whats really important about the bunkers - how do they impact play?  Far too much time is wasted arguing about the style of bunkers.  Its neither here nor there in the big scheme of things.  While I may agree that a certain style is nicer than another or that trying to keep the look in keeping with the original look is pretty cool, its just fluff when we get into the heart of any course.   

Ciao 

So the nature of the bunkers is fluff as long as the location is the same?

To an extent I think this is absolutely true.

Sure, all things equal, if I could have aesthetically pleasing bunkers versus less-so types I would choose the former, but it's like talking about ocean views to some extent.  Does it really change the playing characteristics of a hole to have frilly bunkers versus sharp-edged ones?  Yes, for the 0.1% of shots that hit the edge and carom one way or another, it's a consideration....but for say, the 6th at Riviera.  Does it really make a difference in that hole's playing characteristics whether the bunker is what's there today or a Bell circa 1938 version other than the look?

I never understand the sycophantic fascination with bunkering.  It's a hazard.  I wish to avoid it.  If I am in it I wish to extricate myself.  If the shape, etc is the same I care little, as a player, whether the lip over which I intend to golf my ball is hairy and frilly or sharp and manicured.

Look at the bunker restoration work at Pasatiempo and then tell me only location matters. Or look at the geometric designs first built in the US. You are going to tell me that as long as the location is correct the look or style of the bunker does not matter?

PLAYABILITY wise, it does not matter.

The bunker is in my way.

I wish not to hit my ball into it.

If my ball is in it, I wish to extricate myself.

Simple as that.

Who gives a rat's tail if it's a frilly bunker or not...is that going to change yours or my chance of saving par?


I believe Jon addressed your ignorant comments via email. 

Comments pertaining to mowing around bunkers, or location of bunkers I absolutely agree with.  And, are the bunkers at Pasa PRETTIER to look at?  Sure they are.

As long as everyone who says that the shaping of bunkers matters admits that they just like pretty things (and I do) then they are being honest.  The second anyone says that there is any impact on playability, assuming the location and   general shape remains the same, is lying to themselves.


Tell me please how, with the exception of the rare shot that lands precisely on the lip, the bunker short of 6 at Riviera would play any differently if it was frilly/fuzzy versus the sharp cut look now.  Aren't you still planning to hit a 6 iron over it?  If you don't and you land in the bunker, aren't you still trying to hit out of it?


"There is no thrill in driving over an ugly hazard."