Bunkers backing a green - What's the point?

[Kalen Braley]

I think they are very effective, if only for other reasons...
 
And that is, the vast majority of golfers (who happen to be mid to high cappers) usually miss short not long, so they are rarely penalized by rear bunkers. Its usually only the better player who pure an iron and air mail a green and get in trouble...so its one way to toughen up a course while effectively adding no more difficulty for the high cappers.

[Buck Wolter]

I think they are very effective, if only for other reasons...
 
And that is, the vast majority of golfers (who happen to be mid to high cappers) usually miss short not long, so they are rarely penalized by rear bunkers. Its usually only the better player who pure an iron and air mail a green and get in trouble...so its one way to toughen up a course while effectively adding no more difficulty for the high cappers.

Agree 100% --The only time they impact me as a chopper is to help me from getting into more trouble when I thin one over the green. I've never seen one I don't like .

[Chris DeToro]

Back bunkers are fantastic and create some of the most difficult shots to get up and down since the green is typically running away from you.  My favorite back bunker--a nasty, narrow one hidden behind the 7th green at Wannamoisett.  It's a short par 4 that can leave you with an awkward half wedge so when the pin is back and you're trying to get close, it definitely can come into play for all

[Rob Marshall]

Great responses gents.
An additional question:
Do you think it's important for these green-backing bunkers to be visible from the approach?


NO

Back bunker visibility should be determined by the terrain and NOT by the desire for visibility.

Making back bunkers visible often results in bunkers that create downhill lies in those bunkers, negatively impacting playability

It would seem they would often be hidden by the back of the green.

"OBTUSE is the golfer who can't detect green side bunkers and, based upon the terrain and configuration of the green, predict danger over the green.

And certainly if they rest at the bottom of the sloping backside.

The view of the green should tell you what surrounds the green.

There should be no surprises for the astute golfer

Interesting Pat, I've never played it but it seems to me I've seen pictures of back bunkers at Cypress Point. Isn't having a downhill bunker shot part of the penalty? After all it is a hazard. The 13th as an example.