[Philippe Binette]

While doing an analysis of the 4th at Elie (come back soon for the analysis), I noticed some clear shapes from the satellite image. As you can see in the orange squares, the shape of old bunker are visible. The higher sand percentage in the soil composition and the richer soil due to former sod walls are probably responsible of this effect. If you go on bing.com to see the satellite image of the course, a bunch of covered up bunkers are visible, look at the 13th fairway!

See it on:
http://www.inspirationgolf.com/Elie-lost-bunkers.html

Is this standard in Scotland ? it seems there are a lot of lost bunkers at Elie

[Kalen Braley]

[Ads14_580x435]

Fail!!!   

[Philippe Binette]

now it works Kalen, no worries

[Melvyn Morrow]

Philippe

Elie course was once 1500 yards long x 50 to 100 yards wide had from 9 to 11 holes which had been double size Greens, by 1878 only one double Green survived. The Greens were 1st 86ft x 110ft; 2nd 91 ft dia; 3rd 96ft dia; all others 66ft dia. Also by 1878 all Greens cut by machine, hallows by scythe.

In 1895 with new land added incorporating 5 new holes, again new land in 1901 and 1904 with reports of hollows being filled. Although no reference has been made re the 4th, however the course was also lengthened on many occasions from 1878 to 1904 according to some of the reports I sent the club over the last couple of years.

Little bit of info but may not be what you are looking for.

Melvyn

PS The Earlsferry course of 1858 was credited to Old Tom, Mr Proudfoot (of Leuchars) and George Roland (uncle to Douglas Roland)

[Philippe Binette]

I just found it fascinating houw obvious the lost bunkers are from the satellite image.

[Philippe Binette]

Here's the count, of course this is suposition:

3 bunkers at the 4th
2 bunkers between 9 and 16
1 bunker in the 12th fairway
1 bunker behind the 12th green
1 big one in the 13th fairway
1 behind the 15th green

there are probably 5 to 10 more potentially

[Ally Mcintosh]

Philippe,

I think right through the UK and Ireland, links courses have had their bunkers reduced... It is often quite noticeable comparing old overheads and recent satellite images...

Two examples - Lytham & St Annes once had 350 bunkers...

Portmarnock - Had about 200 bunkers at the beginning of last century including 37 on the 17th hole alone... Now numbering 116 and it is still fairly obvious where many penal geometric cross and flanking bunkers have been removed...

Not sure that's what you're getting at?

[Mark Chaplin]

Deal has massively reduced the number of bunkers over the years. Looking at a 1923 plan the 14th had 15 bunkers and now has three. However when you look at old photos a "bunker" may have just been a scrape or exposed piece of dune.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Phillipe,

It is not only the UK, but the US, too.  I presume the same cost pressures affected both at various points, and the same design philosophie were in place in the 50-70's. Melyvn's point about being left over from a former routing is also valid, although the example you showed appeared to be once part of the hole shown.

[Philippe Binette]

What surprised me the most was how clearly you could still see it, the imprints of the bunkers.

The analysis of the hole (to come soon) is more important than the lost bunkers

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