Doug,
I have often wondered about the lack of variety in hazards on the golf course. Seems today the bunker is used to the exclusion of almost all else. I have reed grass bushels on my course. You know exactly where the ball is so you can find it and if the ball ends up close behind its a chip sideways. I did have 5 sand bunkers when I opened with the idea of adding as time went on. Now I have 3 and will probably only add grass bunkers in the future.
Jon
+1
someone on the front lines in the fight against homogonization
Doug-see Sunningdale (but it wasn't Sunningdale)
but to your point that would be another way to do it(no sand)-it would have to have some maintenance though otherwise a return to forest
The (slog)situation I describe is COMMON at many courses, especially modern links courses and many heathland courses.
a widish fairway and flanking bunkers that have shite(native, heather, etc) outside them which then continues indefinitely
perfectly "fair" yet endlessly boring.
I just found it strategic and shot/target selection inducing but never made it an endless search-and very attractive