The impediment to centreline bunkers today, I believe, must be placed clearly at the feet or wheels of modern golfers, club/club owners and the attitude to the modern game. In other words, nothing must stand in the way of stopping the long aerial game, of the ultimate aim of the achieving a low score by whatever means.
It seems to matter not at bit as to what the cost is to the game or its great courses let alone to the individual him/herself. The very idea of playing the game is no longer the reason for playing golf, that of thinking and walking. Alas it all centres upon making it easy, forcing rule changes to allow the uncommitted to water down the game. Seemingly proving their unfit nature, be it physical or mental to really be able to play in the first place.
Centreline bunkers are a major player in defending against the long shot and can re-introduce THINKING back into the game of some players (well perhaps).
They are a key weapon in the designer’s arsenal, alas apparently not used for fear of upsetting the modern weak and uncommitted player who always seems to be looking for the easy options (perhaps for the fear of not being really up to the challenge of playing real golf).
Why do we always forget that golf is meant to be a challenge from start to finish, why do some many want to weaken it to no more than a walk ride in the park.
Thank God I am not alone in loving these great equalisers in the fight for the game of golf
Melvyn