Centerline Bunkers

[Mike_Cirba]

Just to keep the record straight I like centerline bunkers, and we have a couple at Twisted Dune (#4 and 12). I think they work particularly well on par fives.

However I don't think it would work on #18 because it would give the big hitter too much of an advantage on a long par four. If you can find a way to punish the expert player and not the average Joe, you really have something special.

This is my complaint about the ninth hole at Philly Cricket, which likewise is a long par four, wiht a centerline bunker. I think it would be a great hole without the bunker!

Archie,

Based on your comments I assume you believe the 18th at Muirfield is similarly flawed?

Below, courtesy of artist Peter Munro, is what I would imagine the player who "laid up" on 18 at a new 18th at Twisted Dune would be looking at.

Now, just imagine the smile on his face should he have actually taken on this bunker and cleared it, leaving a mere chip or perhaps even running onto the putting surface!  And worst case scenario, he dumps it in the bunker but still has a swing and a shot at a miracle par to end his day!!  

Certainly those scenarios are more emotionally involving and engaging than what they face on the long second shot today?

Now, imagine the frown on the low-handicap man who manages to catch his approach a bit on the toe and ends up landing in their, or who doesn't gauge the wind correctly on his second, or is trying to play a low runner from the rough that doesn't quite make it.  Just rewards I say!

[archie_struthers]

 Mike,

I posted my wordy reply before your glorious picture of Muirfield appeared. God, it really is gorgeous! However, I stand bloodied but unbowed!!!

[Bill_McBride]

David, the truly good centerline bunkers are in 70 yard wide fairways, and there is a distinct advantage to being on one side vs the other, usually the day's pin position, wind direction etc.

What you refer to, I think, is addressed by Nicklaus in his opinion of playing to the right of the Principal's Nose on #16 at TOC: "Strictly for amateurs!"

[Mark_Fine]

Bill,
Why do the fairways have to be 70 yards wide and does there always have to be a distinct advantage?  I'm not sure about that.  Can't that advantage be perceived as different from player to player?  

Gil Hanse and I talked about centerline hazards being the rule rather than the exception.  I would think this would be a paradigm shift for most people and golf might not be ready for it.  I can also safely assume that all the fairways would not be 70 yards wide.  There are other ways to make centerline hazards interesting for a variety of skill levels.

[Sean_A]

The centerline bunkers on Muirfield's 18th create an alley to the green if approaching from the right.  One only has to play over them if approaching from the left.

Ciao

Sean

[Doug Siebert]

David Ober,

Why is it a problem if there is not much room on either side?  The problem becomes one of flying over or laying short of the bunker when you are directly behind it, but that's certainly not the case if you are playing from the rough or trees on one side where that small area opens up more, especially if you aimed a low shot at the bunker and worked away from it towards the green.

And as far as the poorer conditions of the turf on one or both sides, that's as valid of a problem for the golfer to consider as anything else, isn't it?  Do turf conditions have to be identical every square foot of fairway on every hole?  I assume you do not consider it a problem if there are areas in the fairway of more severe slope, isn't having the ball well above or below your feet just as much if not more of a problem than scruffy or spotty turf?

Either way presents a challenge to the player, and either way the player has to take it into account when he plans his stroke.  If there's a centerline bunker with a wide corridor on one side and you can't carry it, you can play for the corridor, but if there are uneven lies or spotty turf, perhaps you decide to layup and play a long shot into the green if you think that disadvantage outweights being able to hit 4 clubs less into the green.  Options, options, options...

[Bill_McBride]

Mark, Doug has answered the question in his post above.

If there isn't room on each side of the centerline bunker, then the choice is lay up or hit over, or hit a dangerous shot past the bunker on either side.  If the wind is up or there is OB either side, the options are reduced to lay up or carry over.

I see the need for some width - maybe 70 yards is too wide except in a generally windy environment - because there should be a reason to want to drive to either side.  Maybe drive right if the pin is left or vice versa.  

Viewing each side of the central hazard as a driving lane, if the entire fairway is 70 yards and the bunker is 20 yards wide, then that's only 25 yards each side, USGA width, tight driving zone.

This is based on my personal favorites: the Principal's Nose demonstrates not enough room on the right side.  Left is the only play, so the fairway is effectively shifted 50 yards left.  #13 Rustic Canyon, at least 70 yards of width, where's the pin, drive to the side of the fairway the pin's on 530 yards away. Otherwise you lose yardage dealing with the center bunker at the green site.   #4 Talking Stick North, lots of room on both sides, where's the pin?

The fairway doesn't HAVE to be 70 yards, but the hole plays better, IMHO, if it is.  You're right, if every hole has a centerline bunker or hazard (a nice creek!), the fairways can't all be wide!

[SL_Solow]

Archie;  I'm not that long a hitter but I liked the bunker at Philadelphia Cricket #9.  I understand your philosophical position but I think there should be some exceptions.  There is nothing wrong with rewarding length from time to time beyond the obvious advantage of obtaining a shorter approach.  Additionally, even the shorter player should be given periodically the challenge and thrill of attempting what may be for him a long carry.  Otherwise we run the risk of "dumbing down" the game for all but the long hitter in the name of equality.  Diagonal hazards may accomplish this objective more efficiently but a variety of challenges creates the greatest interest.

[archie_struthers]

There are always exceptions! Still don't like that particular bunker!

[Mike Hendren]

I like this one by Jerry Pate at Limestone Springs:



The hole turns left just before the bunker and there's room for the better play to sneak a ball past it down the left-hand side, leaving a short iron lookin straight down the green.  A 3-wood right at it is also a prudent play but one sacrifices yardage.  The sucker play is to just hammer it down the right side - plenty of room, but the approach must now cross an angled right-hand green side bunker.  

Mike

[JESII]

Is it fair to assume that good firm ground conditions play a significant role in the effectiveness of centerline bunkers like the one at Philly Cricket (ie 20-50 yards short of the green)? I've played PCC many times and do not remember it ever being firm. I've always found that particular tee shot to be a great visual presentation and the hole in general is a classic easy 5 / very hard 4.

[JESII]

Good photo Mike, thanks for posting. Does that "angled greenside bunker" also effect the receptiveness of the green for a player coming in from the right hand side? Or does it simply obstruct ones view a bit?

[Mike Hendren]

JES

It puts a greater premium on distance control, particularly when the pin is back.

The green is well left of the trees out of the picture.  That's the cart path in the distance near the lake in case that's confusing.


Mike

[Bryan Izatt]

Here are two consecutive holes that Ian will be familiar with that exhibit the best and worst of centerline bunkering.  They are at the Club at Bond Head.


The first is the 6th hole a short par 4 that's downhill and potentially driveable if you are on the right tees.  The centreline bunkers provide three options: short left, long left, or up the entrance between the bunkers and the lake.  The entrance is narrower than it appears here.  A fun, strategic hole all laid out below you on the tee.



Immediately following it, the 7th seems to me to be the worst of cenerline bunkering.  First off, who needs two such holes in a row.  The centerline is actually two parallel centrelines.  The hole is long at 600 yards and there is no advantage to playing to one side or the other of the centrelines since the hole is essentially straight away.  The bunkers are penal pots.  And given that there are strings of them up the fairway, a calculator and the sprinklerheads are a must for playing the hole.  No fun.