Bunkers... the good, the bad and the ugly

[Jim Nelson]

Just how many bunker types are there and which are your favorites?  And which do you just abhor?  I am a traditionalist and enjoy simple bunkering.  I also belong to a course designed by RTJ Jr and Bruce Charleton.  It has what I call Ameoba bunkering.  There seemed to be a period of about 20 years when this style of bunkering was popular.  Now it looks so, so dated that I can hardly stand looking at it. What do you think are the best and the worst styles of bunkers?  I also like minimalist bunkering when it fits into and blends with the surrounding environment.   

[Garland Bayley]

... What do you think are the best and the worst styles of bunkers?  ...

best natural blowouts.
worst White bathtubs.

[Eric Smith]

Jim,

Here are a few favorites I've come across:

Machrihanish Dunes


Ballyneal


Goswick


Seminole


Turnberry


The Honors


Silloth


Prairie Dunes


Palmetto Hall


Dismal River


Wolf Point


Merion

[Jim Nelson]

Jim,

Here are a few favorites I've come across:

Some day I need to figure out how to post pictures.  Thanks for your examples.  You seem to go back and forth between the more ragged minimalist bunkering and the more traditional style from the UK.  Btw, I too like your examples.  Is there a style you dislike?

[Eric Smith]

Jim,

If you google Falcons Fire Golf you can see what I think are some pretty lame bunkers. I don't have the heart to ugly up your thread by posting a picture of them though.  

[Sam Morrow]

Jim,

If you google Falcons Fire Golf you can see what I think are some pretty lame bunkers. I don't have the heart to ugly up your thread by posting a picture of them though. Same goes for Haig Point Golf.

Do you mean the abortion near Orlando?

[Jim Nelson]

Jim,

If you google Falcons Fire Golf you can see what I think are some pretty lame bunkers. I don't have the heart to ugly up your thread by posting a picture of them though. Same goes for Haig Point Golf.

You actually hate those more than my cursed amoeba bunkers?

[Matthew Runde]

If I'm expected to rake bunkers, I don't like ones that require me to trudge a mile and a half in order to reach my ball.  In that case, capes and bays become beautiful.

[Lukas Michel]

A few of my favourites from Royal Melbourne West.

6th fairway


10th fairway bunker


12th fairway bunker (LHS)


14th greenside


16th

[BHoover]

One of the features I love about the bunkers I've seen in Australia is that the lack of sand on the faces/walls of the bunkers. Instead, the sand seems to be at the base of the bunkers. The bunkers seem to be deep, but the player is forced to play from the center of the bunkers.

[Phil McDade]

Jim:

A thread from a few years ago on bunkering styles at some Chicago-area and Wisconsin courses, and some out West as well:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41574.0.html

[Joel_Stewart]

Ron Whitten did an extensive piece a few years ago for Golf Digest.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/golf-courses/2008-11/photos_bunkerdesign#slide=1

[Thomas Dai]

Eric,

Some very nice examples. Thanks for posting them. Do you think you could edit the post to say where the bunkers are in the photos. I recognise the style of some them but can't place them as to specific courses.

All the best

[Eric Smith]

Eric,

Some very nice examples. Thanks for posting them. Do you think you could edit the post to say where the bunkers are in the photos. I recognise the style of some them but can't place them as to specific courses.

All the best

Thomas,

Thank you. I have amended my post to include the names of the courses.

Cheers

[Charlie_Bell]

I love the look of #25, the sculpted "Art Deco" grass noses (knuckles?) framing the flat-bottomed sand, even though they seem artificial.  Mowing must be a nightmare.

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks Eric. I got two correct so must be having a good day! All the best.

[Jordan Standefer]

Jim,

I'm a big fan of the aesthetic bunkers that really shouldn't come into play strategically on a hole, but seem to stare you in the face on the tee box.  For instance, the par 3 third hole at Pasatiempo has a bunker about halfway to the green.  It just frames the hole beautifully, even though you're going to be landing the ball 50-75 yards further.  (If I can figure it out, I'll post a picture.)