Furrowed Bunkers at The Memorial

[xian]

i think they have someone follow groups around that you don't see on tv's and make sure that the bunker is the way it was b/f someone hit into it.

That's right. They were saying that there are members of the grounds crew stationed around the course to re-rake the bunkers after the caddies. Because the rakes and the technique is new to the caddies, the organizers wanted to make sure that everything was fair and uniform from bunker to bunker.

[iacas]

That's right. They were saying that there are members of the grounds crew stationed around the course to re-rake the bunkers after the caddies. Because the rakes and the technique is new to the caddies, the organizers wanted to make sure that everything was fair and uniform from bunker to bunker.

Caddies get to rake greenside bunkers, but they're subject to inspection and re-raking.

And no, they're not using plastic rakes. The wooden ones are still out there.

[Baynative]

I read a golf tip some time ago (written by Fred Couples, I think), the point of which was to learn confidence in playing sand so you could use bunkers to control distance and avoid trouble on long approach shots when long grass or water hazards are placed around greens.

At Memorial is there any rule or logic to the direction of the furrows ...do they run parallel to the probable ball flight or perpendicular?

Are the fairway and greenside bunkers raked in the same patterns?

[georgep]

At Memorial is there any rule or logic to the direction of the furrows ...do they run parallel to the probable ball flight or perpendicular?

From what I've seen and read here in Columbus, the bunkers are all raked perpendicular to the line of play.

[HSGolfer0105]

Yesterday it looked like they were raked parallel to the line of play to me, and one of the ESPN announcers made a comment alluding to a last minute change from perpendicular to parallel, but I wasn't paying super close attention.

With the sand being wet and heavy with today's rain, the furrows should be especially challenging if someone was to draw a settled lie in them. Thats how it should be. Or, better yet, they should play them like one of the golf teams we play, where the bunkers go completely unraked, and you draw the lie that you draw, whether its a footprint, divot or anything else.

[cold]

I think it's lame. I wasn't aware that wedges had advanced a whole lot.

[ttee9]

.... I'm a little surprised with all of the "hub bub" that's been going on about it ....

These players are pro's, they get paid BIG money for their playing ability -- so play and quite whining.!

If they want to whine .. send them 100 miles east and let them play at Salt Fork -- that will change their attitude ..l.o.l...

[iacas]

I just wrote up another thought I had as a new article . Give it a read and comment there (or here).

[Chambo]

I think its a great idea...i mean it protects from ruining great course designs by making them longer for example Augusta, I mean 475 yard par 4's is a little much for me. I bet if the bunkers were raked at augusta the same as at the memorial we would see higher scores then a 7400yard lengthened course provides. So if tournament organisers, USGA, PGA etc want to toughen courses, then I think this is the best way to go.

As you can see from the memorial, these bunkers provide a severe penalty so it shows just how much golf has turned into a power game with the emphasis on accuracy and shot making dissapearing. It now provides a challenge to the players on par 5's especially to play a well played lay-up to stay clear of teh bunkers for an easy up and down for birdie.

Just my thoughts guys!

[Baynative]

Yesterday, I noticed Sean O' Hair playing out of a greenside bunker where the furrows were deep and clearly visible, but where his ball had landed appeared to have been raked smooth from a previous player landing there.

[Baynative]

I think its a great idea...i mean it protects from ruining great course designs by making them longer for example Augusta, I mean 475 yard par 4's is a little much for me.

I think rough should be tall and fairways should be narrow with water hazards and trees from 280 -320, or doglegs would have thick vegetation on the long side and high trees on the short side.

The ability to hit long is fine if accuracy comes into play.

[Baynative]

I remember a couple of years ago, there was a tie at Doral I don't remember the players. But and after they played their approach shots on 18 the crowds ran through the bumkers to get a better position. Then when they went to the 18th again for aplayoff one of the players hit his tee shot into a big foot print in the fairway bunker. He played the shot, (the shot he wanted, I'm sure) without a complaint. That's the way it outta be.