In Fuerteventua, Playitas G.C. I had no choice but to include the barancos, some sandy but mainly dirt, in the design.
The site was relatively small and had 2 large barancos and 3 smaller “tributaries” running through it.
The barancos came often into play, cutting across fairways and twice before the greens.
Where appropriate the banks of the barancos were grassed with Paspalum to the base.
Up until now the barancos have remained “in play” without relief.
You can see the grassed banks of this barancos in front of the 5th Green at Playitas G.C:
As a hazard from a distance they look very penal – and most of them are.
The barancos near the greens are a fairly simple recovery as a wedge will do the job.
However the fairway barancos can be so deep that a wedge will have to suffice, with the respective loss of distance.
The best use I made of the barancos were as cart paths - whenever possible I transferred the carts into the barancos where they were perfectly hidden from sight.