Would most courses be better off with less green side hazards? Would most courses be better off with less trees? Would most courses be better off with less ponds and streams and water hazards? Would most courses be better off with less mounds and hollows? Would most courses would be better off with less rough? Would most courses be better off with less native areas? Would most courses would be better off with less out of bounds? Would most courses would be better off with less ….? I could go on and on.
The secret to almost every great golf course is balance and not overdoing/overusing any single design feature. Bunkers are just one of those many features that architects use to define their playing fields. The other belief I have is that all challenging shots in golf (outside of a three foot putt with drinks on the line
) are defined by a hazard of one type or another. A course with bland and benign hazards is very likely (most definitely) a very boring golf course.