Greenside Bunkers With Heavy 'Construction-Grade' Sand

[Old1964]

Other than experiencing the joy of playing out of the sand in North Carolina and Florida, I enjoy Michigan bunkers which tend to have less-than-ideal sand in them. 

It struck me the other day when I was hitting out of one of these on Wednesday that there might be "a better way" to play out of heavier, course sand. 

Would appreciate any insights you have. 

* Michigan = 78 degrees for the last 4 days. Upper 40's for the next week. 

[Vinsk]

Hit closer to the ball?🥴

[WUTiger]

My home course and several of our neighbors have been overhauling bunkers the last couple of years. Overhaul involves a combination of rebuild and removal. With this has come a reconsideration of the type of sand used.

Most of the courses now have medium-heavy to heavy sand in the bunkers. As a result, I switched from a Callaway wide-flange to moderate S-flange sand wedge. The thinner sole slices through the heavy sand better than the wide flange.

Our head pro said he had ditched the wider flange for the same reason.

Also, be sure to open up the clubface before you grip the club. This will allow the clubface to slide through the sand without digging in too much (a problem with heavier sand).

 

[pganapathy]

I play two different clubs out of a bunker depending on the consistency of sand.  Soft and fluffy lies I use a high bounce SW (55* in my case) and for harder lies (for example wet sand) I use a low bounce LW (60* in my case).  Essentially you should go with less bounce the harder the sand is.

[Old1964]

  On 4/16/2023 at 11:18 PM, WUTiger said:

My home course and several of our neighbors have been overhauling bunkers the last couple of years. Overhaul involves a combination of rebuild and removal. With this has come a reconsideration of the type of sand used.

Most of the courses now have medium-heavy to heavy sand in the bunkers. As a result, I switched from a Callaway wide-flange to moderate S-flange sand wedge. The thinner sole slices through the heavy sand better than the wide flange.

Our head pro said he had ditched the wider flange for the same reason.

Also, be sure to open up the clubface before you grip the club. This will allow the clubface to slide through the sand without digging in too much (a problem with heavier sand).

 

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Sounds like a winning combination. Thanks.

[billchao]

  On 4/16/2023 at 10:21 PM, Vinsk said:

Hit closer to the ball?🥴

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Yea I tend to just try to play it more like hardpan when the sand is dense without exposing extra bounce.

[RayG]

  On 4/17/2023 at 9:04 AM, pganapathy said:

I play two different clubs out of a bunker depending on the consistency of sand.  Soft and fluffy lies I use a high bounce SW (55* in my case) and for harder lies (for example wet sand) I use a low bounce LW (60* in my case).  Essentially you should go with less bounce the harder the sand is.

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Some of us play on a courses where there are about 8 different types of 'sand'... ranging from near concrete to baby powder. Each with a varying percentage of rocks and stones. I might go over the 14 club limit if I have to bring 6 different wedge types!!!

 

But yeah, I agree with the concept of more bounce if the fluff, and less in the harder stuff...

[colin007]

Imagine having sand in bunkers

[billchao]

  On 4/24/2023 at 9:26 PM, colin007 said:

Imagine having sand in bunkers

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It’s easy if you try.

[colin007]

  On 4/24/2023 at 10:06 PM, billchao said:

It’s easy if you try.

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I'll speak to the super at my Muni about it lol. Our bunkers are so hard you can putt out of them if you don't mind the boulders

Edited April 25, 2023 by colin007
Spelling

[boogielicious]

  On 4/25/2023 at 11:20 AM, colin007 said:

I'll speak to the super at my Muni about it lol. Our bunkers are so hard you can putt out of them if you don't mind the boulders

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One of my local courses has put in what appears to be tan confectioners sugar instead of sand. I find that equally as challenging.

[Elmer]

  On 4/24/2023 at 9:26 PM, colin007 said:

Imagine having sand in bunkers

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  On 4/25/2023 at 11:20 AM, colin007 said:

I'll speak to the super at my Muni about it lol. Our bunkers are so hard you can putt out of them if you don't mind the boulders

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Since we are in same area i can vouch for this.
I never saw sand in a bunker until I played Saratoga National.  😂
I have a golf buddy, who in 15 years had never used a wedge out of a bunker, just putts!

For years my home course, which had been under maintained, had 2 types of bunkers.
1- muddy, pond like due to bad drainage
2- hard sand 
My league adopted a lift and move policy as you never knew what was under your ball.
There was nothing like hitting out of a bunker only to hit a softball sized rock and damage your club!

The new super has worked to put actual sand in the traps. However, the cold, the rain, goose and bear poo mix to create a less fluffy type of sand!

[colin007]

  On 4/25/2023 at 4:53 PM, Elmer said:

 

Since we are in same area i can vouch for this.
I never saw sand in a bunker until I played Saratoga National.  😂
I have a golf buddy, who in 15 years had never used a wedge out of a bunker, just putts!

For years my home course, which had been under maintained, had 2 types of bunkers.
1- muddy, pond like due to bad drainage
2- hard sand 
My league adopted a lift and move policy as you never knew what was under your ball.
There was nothing like hitting out of a bunker only to hit a softball sized rock and damage your club!

The new super has worked to put actual sand in the traps. However, the cold, the rain, goose and bear poo mix to create a less fluffy type of sand!

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Yeah Town of Colonie has slowly but surely been allowing what used to be bunkers to just fill in with grass.

The munis in Albany and Slumectady both have decent sand with some exceptions

You aren't kidding about the size of the rocks....

[mohearn]

  On 4/26/2023 at 12:36 AM, colin007 said:

The munis in Albany and Slumectady both have decent sand with some exception

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Baird had been refurishing bunnkers on front, with concrete liners. I applaud the effort, but hopefully they put in enough sand to take the concrete out of play.