![Wink ;)](http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
From all I've read, and all I've played, I have to generally agree with Ross's view. Its in the vien of it "if you build it , they will come..." maybe not often, maybe not by all , but who doesn't think twice when faced with looking over or hitting from within a bunker.
Also, does a bunker have to have sand in it?
However, as for the suggestion of bunkers or trees in the middle of driving areas and blind bunkers, I draw the line on "liking" such features. If I'm partying and wagering for fun its one thing, but isn't that a true risk-reward discussion, often needed for those who play a course over and over and desire some relief or variation, i.e., when travel to or opportunity to play other courses isn't so easy. At TOC it was quite easy to stay away from all those named hazards and the gobbling gorse by playing left.
I can accept topographic features on a course that affect roll-out of a ball after landing much better, because the next shot may not be as severely constrained by lie and bunker lips.
At our Oaks course, a "greens complex/bunkering/irrigation" remodeling a few years ago took out a third of the bunker area, eliminated allmost all fronting bunkers, many framing bunkers, and various pesky fairway bunkers, essentially neutering the course for Blue tee types like myself. All the difficulty now lies in setting up/executing approach shots and being able to hit lag puts. On the flip side, the "new" bunkering added to offset losses created more tee hazard for the Red and White tee folks, while opening up the front of greens . And the guys that play from the back tees beat it up if they execute.
Democracy is good, but give me a benevolent dictator who wants to test all aspects of the game at every course.