Photo Thread: Tree Between Bunker and Target

« **on:** February 05, 2016, 08:34:36 AM »

Gents.

Please look at the following photo and please tell me your opinion of this bunker/tree positional relationship.

No agenda. Would just like to know what folks think.

« **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2016, 08:40:31 AM »

Robin

It's a potent combo if you happen to end up in that bunker. Without the tree I'd imagine it would be possible to get the green however with the tree in position it makes it much more difficult. From an aesthetic point of view I don't really have an issue. Question - was the bunker put in there for the eventuality that the tree would be going sooner rather than later ?

Niall

« **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2016, 08:55:08 AM »

Niall

No, both are there for the long haul.

« **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2016, 08:58:35 AM »

Fire up the chainsaw!

« **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:18:51 AM »

Robin

What is the length of the hole?

« **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:19:57 AM »

At least the tree's canopy is pretty high up, so you've really only got the trunk to worry about

« **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:23:21 AM »

Quote from: Robin_Hiseman on February 05, 2016, 08:34:36 AM

What if this is a par 3? Or a short 4? or a long 5-er? Or does it matter?

If I see this once a round, I may scratch my head or laugh, but it won't bother me too much. It's a bit of quirk unless it's a repetitive feature.

« **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:28:57 AM »

Robin:

I am in the minority of not minding if there is an occasional "double hazard" as I don't see why there should be a rule that someone in a bunker should have a clear path to the green.

However, this bunker and tree both seem to be in the middle of the fairway, and adding that to the mix seems like a bit much to me. How long is the hole?

« **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:35:34 AM »

The hole is 525 yards long and the combo is 50/60 yards short of the green, dead centre of fairway.

« **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:41:06 AM »

So if you're in the bunker you have a 50/60 yard bunker shot to play? Seems to me that's punishment enough in the centre of the fairway. One or the other should go.

« **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:46:48 AM »

The tree and the bunker are both fine..... despite looking a tad awkward together.

As it is a par-5 it looks as though there is a fair bit of fairway either side of the bunker so those laying up appear to have a choice.

Is the tree really a hazard for those going for the green in two?

« **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:50:18 AM »

From what's visible here, I'm fine with it. There appears to be ample room to stay away from the bunker, and the tree is limbed up enough to make it easy to play a forward shot out of the bunker but risky to take a swing at the green unless you can hit a flighted 60 yard wedge from a bunker. Since it's in the layup zone, it shouldn't be too hard for players to lay back to 100 yards or so if they really want to avoid it. I know the blanket answer around here is that all double hazards are bad, but I think I'm okay with this one as long as it isn't my ball in the sand.

« **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:53:14 AM »

Quote from: Mark Pearce on February 05, 2016, 09:41:06 AM

So if you're in the bunker you have a 50/60 yard bunker shot to play? Seems to me that's punishment enough in the centre of the fairway. One or the other should go.

that sounds dangerously like fairness.......

Niall

« **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:55:08 AM »

Quote from: Adam Lawrence on February 05, 2016, 09:19:57 AM

At least the tree's canopy is pretty high up, so you've really only got the trunk to worry about

To my eye the length of shot to the green, the slope in the bunker etc could very well make the tree canopy in play. If that was what was intended then its a pretty clever design. I'd probably like that idea more if it was more of a gathering bunker.

Niall

« **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:21:46 AM »

Some thoughts over and above those mentioned above -

A) The bunker is likely to end up with lots of fallen twigs etc in it.....and they can't be moved if your ball is against them
B) Has the tree already reached it's maximum height/width and if not how much bigger will it grow?
C) Will the trees roots damage the front lip of the bunker?

Atb

« **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:24:38 AM »

I am reading posts on the this thread from a bunch of people I'd like to play in a match. Figure it out, move on.

« **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:36:55 AM »

Most are generally against the double penalty, but oddly, I find that it may be okay in the middle of the fairway with two clear ways around.

And, the tree doesn't look all that healthy. My first thought was the architect put the bunker in as backup for the inevitable day when the tree goes. So many do when exposed to a new water regimen or irrigation, and he may have figured it had only 5-10 years to live, and golfers would just have to live with it a while.

Sort of like doing an original design and a long term master plan at the same time.....

« **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:54:43 AM »

The only reason to give the bunker credibility is to assume you're going to be in it.

For me it appears it would be 60 yards past my lay up zone.

« **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:00:29 AM »

Jeff

Maybe the way to think about it is rather than being a double penalty, it's just a different kind of challenge. After all a lot of us on here (me included) tend to harp on about variety so why not ?

Niall

« **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:02:43 AM »

As an old man who can no longer reach par 5's in two I love the tree. The entertainment value of seeing a long hitter hit the tree when going for the green and end up in the bunker would only be surpassed if he hit the tree again.

« **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:03:07 AM »

Quote from: Mark Pearce on February 05, 2016, 09:41:06 AM

So if you're in the bunker you have a 50/60 yard bunker shot to play? Seems to me that's punishment enough in the centre of the fairway. One or the other should go.

Thanks for doing my typing, my good man.

« **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:29:05 AM »

I don't know why but part of me wishes they made it so the tree was in the bunker...

« **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:32:06 AM »

We have the same basic thing at my course. I dislike it there and here. Seems like a double whammy to me. A long bunker shot that has to contend with a tree? Chainsaw time.

« **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2016, 11:42:12 AM »

Quote from: Ed Brzezowski on February 05, 2016, 11:32:06 AM

We have the same basic thing at my course. I dislike it there and here. Seems like a double whammy to me. A long bunker shot that has to contend with a tree? Chainsaw time.

Hit an explosion shot to the left or right and allow the rest of your mediocre to poor golf expose your weaknesses free from the hazard.

The only reason to contend with the tree is if you feel you've the ability to make the shot.

« **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2016, 12:20:10 PM »

Like the bunker and its relative position....tree should more than likely go..

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