[Anthony Gray]

  In a recent video discussing the Eden at Old Macdonald Tom Doak says he likes it shoulder height so the player can see the putting surface. The original is deeper and of course more penal.

  So how do you like your Strath?

  Anthony

                            

                            

                            

[Bill_McBride]

A year ago just about now, I played the Old Course and, for the first time, managed to get into the front bunkers on both par 3s -- the Short Hole bunker on #8 and Strath on #11 Eden.

In both cases the bunker was right in front of a front pin and I got greedy and didn't carry the bunker.   
Those bunkers are so deep and steep that in both cases it took me three shots to get out  and I made six both times.

I had a similar result in the bunker in front of #1 at Lundin Links during a singles Buda Cup match vs everybody's favorite Scot, Martin "007" Bonnar.  In that situation it was very humorous and much hilarity ensued.   

I will never again go to Scotland without a low bounce 60^o sand wedge, just in case I need it for that shot.  I hate to carry it if I don't need it, but oh my, it would have been helpful to be able to just splash one out on the first try on those three holes!  Even sideways.

[Matt_Davenport]

Bill,
Why stop at 60? With a 64-degree wedge you could have told Martin that 'Q' outfitted you properly for the task at hand.

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,
Why stop at 60? With a 64-degree wedge you could have told Martin that 'Q' outfitted you properly for the task at hand.

I have to say that I have never even remotely considered a 64^o sand wedge. 

But maybe I should! 

[Anthony Gray]

  How deep is the one at OM now that it is finished?

  Anthony

[Marty Bonnar]

Was reading this thread and was somehow reminded of the old Hamlet Cigar advert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81VUHm6JEj4

I've been THAT Golfer!!!!

cheers,
FBD.

[Tim Nugent]

My 18 handicap wife was not a big fan of Strath Bunker.  I think she made about 1/2 swipes at it before F-it came out of her mouth and the ball was assisted by the "hand wedge" onto the green.  The 30 mph driven sleet didn't make attitudes any better.  I was much happier to be in Shell Bunker (w/my low bounce 60)

[Patrick Hodgdon]

Bill,
Why stop at 60? With a 64-degree wedge you could have told Martin that 'Q' outfitted you properly for the task at hand.

I have to say that I have never even remotely considered a 64^o sand wedge. 

But maybe I should! 

As long as it's another Scratch wedge!

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,
Why stop at 60? With a 64-degree wedge you could have told Martin that 'Q' outfitted you properly for the task at hand.

I have to say that I have never even remotely considered a 64^o sand wedge. 

But maybe I should! 

As long as it's another Scratch wedge!

Waiting for my 53 and 58 low bounce wedges, Ari says soon!

[Jeffrey Stein]

I believe Old Mac's strath is just under 6 foot deep...playable but definately a hard shot out

[Gary Slatter]

A year ago just about now, I played the Old Course and, for the first time, managed to get into the front bunkers on both par 3s -- the Short Hole bunker on #8 and Strath on #11 Eden.

In both cases the bunker was right in front of a front pin and I got greedy and didn't carry the bunker.   
Those bunkers are so deep and steep that in both cases it took me three shots to get out  and I made six both times.

I had a similar result in the bunker in front of #1 at Lundin Links during a singles Buda Cup match vs everybody's favorite Scot, Martin "007" Bonnar.  In that situation it was very humorous and much hilarity ensued.   

I will never again go to Scotland without a low bounce 60^o sand wedge, just in case I need it for that shot.  I hate to carry it if I don't need it, but oh my, it would have been helpful to be able to just splash one out on the first try on those three holes!  Even sideways.

I've often advised hitting your second away from the green from the Strath on 11, to "save" shots!    However it is seldom on line with the pin, when the pin is behind the bunker it's better to go left and slightly long.   Of course it's always dependant on the breeze.  I only carry a 60 degree wedge when I play the Old Course and only use it in the bunkers.  Otherwise my 56 can adapt.

[Anthony Gray]

  Same thing. Only have the 60 in Scotland.

  ARG

[Anthony Gray]

I believe Old Mac's strath is just under 6 foot deep...playable but definately a hard shot out

  Any Old Mac pics of the Strath bunker?

  Anthony

[Patrick_Mucci]

Anthony,

I'd love to know the reason/s behind Tom Doak's thinking about the depth of his bunker.

Is it a concession to the American golfer, the desire to not make a hotel guest overly penalized, or some other reason ?

[Tom_Doak]

Patrick:

The depth of the Strath at Old Macdonald is mostly based on what I thought Mr. Keiser would be okay with.  He didn't want David Kidd to have a lot of revetted bunkers at Bandon Dunes because he thought the customers would get frustrated with them.  I figured we could get away with it up until the bunker was deeper than eye level ... the difference between a 5-foot-deep bunker and a 6-foot-deep bunker is huge, psychologically.

As you have probably noted, though, I am not a fan of ever-deeper greenside bunkers.  I don't think they bother the very good player much, but they take a big toll on the average golfer.  The Nicklaus course in Traverse City, The Bear, has deep bunkers surrounding practically every green, and it is a nightmare as far as pace of play is concerned ... in fact, part of the problem is that anyone over 50 has a hard time just climbing in and out of those bunkers, much less raking them.

[Tim Bert]

Here's the newest addition.  I liked the little indentation on the left side of the bunker that actually deflected my ball onto the green the first time around.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tom Doak,

Thanks.

As you know, the bunkers at # 18 at GCGC are really deep, but, they're intended for a different audience, one that almost expects that type of encounter, and, fortunately, they're positioned on the golf course so as not to slow down play except at the 19th hole.

[Bill Brightly]

[Buck Wolter]

Found this 'hiding' on the site

[Anthony Gray]

Found this 'hiding' on the site

  Who's that guy?

[Bill Brightly]

Looks like there is a very slight angle to the bunker face. I wonder if Tom or Jim would answer this question:  were the strath and road bunkers tested so that skulled shots from the bunker would "ride up" safely in the air and not rebound into the players face?

[Alister Matheson]

Found this 'hiding' on the site

If this was in Scotland that Gent would be 9ft tall LOL !

[Richard Choi]

I must say the Eden hole bunker is far more menacing than the road hole bunker at OM. The Eden bunker is so small, you feel very very claustrophobic.

[Anthony Gray]

I must say the Eden hole bunker is far more menacing than the road hole bunker at OM. The Eden bunker is so small, you feel very very claustrophobic.

  I think the Eden bunker collects balls better at OM than TOC and on the other hand the Road Hole collects balls better at TOC than OM.

   Anthony

[Jonathan Cummings]

I think that the OM version of Strath is too understated.  It is one of the few disappointments I found at OM.  I've played TOC many times over the years and find that the fear of navigating the 11th green complex is welded on your mind the first 10 holes.  Think holes leading up to 10 at PVGC, 17 at TPC, and the 5th at Royal St George.  The same simply isn't true for the OM version.  JC

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