What is Scientific bunkering?
Thats a good question. Although you often see the word used in golf architecture back then no one that I'm aware of actually defined precisely what it meant. Back then the word was used often in many different areas and circumstances. Here is the definition of
scientific from a 1913 dictionary.
"1. Of or pertaining to science; used in science; as, scientific principles; scientific apparatus; scientific observations.
2. Agreeing with, or depending on, the rules or principles of science; as, a scientific classification; a scientific arrangement of fossils.
3. Having a knowledge of science, or of a science; evincing science or systematic knowledge; as, a scientific chemist; a scientific reasoner; a scientific argument.
Bossuet is as scientific in the structure of his sentences. Lander.
Scientific method, the method employed in exact science and consisting of: (a) Careful and abundant observation and experiment. (b) generalization of the results into formulated Laws" and statements."
I believe the word was used to differentiate the previous less thoughtful methods of design from the modern methods that began to develop with increased study of the art and craft. At the turn of the century you had a number smart men beginning to study, write about and discuss what constituted a well designed hole or golf course, and from that developed some guiding principals. As a result golf architects spent more time thinking about and arranging and orientating golf holes, and features on golf holes, in contrast to the old ways.
In the later years (late teens and twenties) you find it used more often in America to define a bunkering style. And the best I can tell it meant bunkers would come into play on just about every shot, including the greens, which were often very well bunkered, especially on shorter holes or shorter approaches. The American style was a hybrid of strategic and penal, leaning slightly toward the penal.