Now THIS is a Top Shot Bunker

[Mike Hendren]

or two.  Maybe a thin shot bunker is a better description.  Very intimidating for us low ball hitters.  Had to go with the 3-wood.  Can't imagine anyone getting away with such a design today.

Mike

[ward peyronnin]

Location ? Or is this in your own mind Bogey

[Tom_Doak]

You are right that nobody would get away with that tee shot today, but just for argument's sake, isn't the sand superfluous there?

And in the pic on your other thread, too?

[Michael Felton]

I know it isn't, but this reminds me of the 2nd tee at Royal Ashdown Forest. Although I haven't played there in a while so I may be completely mistaken.

[Mike Hendren]

Big Ward, that is the tee shot at the 7th at Sunningdale Old.   The photo doesn't do it justice,  that bank is much higher and closer to the tee than it appears. 

Tom, the website also refers to those as disused bunkers.  No doubt double jeopardy, but definite attention grabbers. It would be interesting to know if they were remnants of Park, Jr.'s original work.

Mike

[Adam Lawrence]

Mike, Darwin writes about the seventh in 'The Golf Courses of the British Isles'. Park's original hole was blind on the approach as well as the drive; the green was much lower down and a long way to the left - it's now heavily wooded, but if you explore in the trees you can still find traces of it. Here's the quote:

"The seventh is a bone of contention, some averring that it is a fine 'sporting' hole, while others have no names too bad for it; when not alluded to with profanity it is generally known as the 'Switch-back' hole. Those who like a blind tee shot and a blind second will admire it, and those who don't won't, and there is the matter in a very small compass.

Colt moved the green to its present location, not long after Darwin wrote that (so around 1910-11). I think it is my joint favourite hole on the golf course, along with the twelfth.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Here is another 7th at another heathland course... Of the same ilk (although I wish they'd get rid of the hard paths)

And for argument’s sake back, I do think you could get away with this today and I don’t think the sand is superfluous…. Once or maybe twice in a round, I find the idea of hitting over a large, penal, top-shot bunker quite a thrilling encounter… Other classic examples include the 4th at Westward Ho and the 16th at Ganton…

[Mike Hendren]

Adam, the only downside of Colt's relocation of the green up and to the right is an awkward walk-back to the 8th tee.   After a relative pedestrian first hole, this is a fine stretch of golf holes.

Mike

[Jeff Bergeron]

I love top shot bunkers. They should never enter your mind. But.....they do. Most have been filled in over the years. Put them back! Let's have some fun and stop over analyzing.

[Tom Bacsanyi]

or two.  Maybe a thin shot bunker is a better description.  Very intimidating for us low ball hitters.  Had to go with the 3-wood.  Can't imagine anyone getting away with such a design today.

Mike

Fascinating.  Why are you playing off the ladies tees?

[Steve Lang]

  some top shot bunkers appear bigger than others, and take some time (and balls) getting used to

[Tom Bacsanyi]

That would have been interesting.  What if they never grassed the ridge on OM #3?  just the tee and the fairway?

[Thomas Dai]

Nah, try this from yee olde Aberdovey -

atb