When the best play is into a bunker

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

I suppose that on some difficult par-3 holes, when playing downwind with little chance of holding the green, it would make sense to decide which of the surrounding bunkers offers the best chance to get up and down in the wind.

The 6th hole at Cal Club fits this description

[David Ober]

I am no longer long enough to reach virtually any part fives in two. Depending on the course, however, I can hit it into a greenside bunker in two from time to time.


Whether or not I aim for the bunker is a calculation I have to make on those types of holes. About half of the time I will not care whatsoever if I am in the bunker and the other half I would lay up short of it on purpose.


The biggest factor usually is how far of a bunker shot does it leave me to the pin. If it is more than 25 to 35 yards, then I will often opt to lay up short of the bunker. But if it is a truly greenside bunker and the pin is less than 30 yards, I will just bang it at the hole and if it goes in the bunker it goes in and if it stays out it stays out.

[JimB]

I suppose that on some difficult par-3 holes, when playing downwind with little chance of holding the green, it would make sense to decide which of the surrounding bunkers offers the best chance to get up and down in the wind.

The 6th hole at Cal Club fits this description

I've done some thinking about this question and this is the first I recognize as true. The problem is there are no bunkers behind the green. It's not easy to stop a shot from the two front bunkers when downwind, which is prevailing. Maybe the one hole high left is the play?

[Jeff Schley]

I was going to respond to Anthony Gray, but it seems he is gone already once again.