Why Bunkers are not consistent

 Today's golfers are accustomed to such wonderful playing conditions that the most frequent complaint about course conditioning is actually involving a hazard,

"The playing surface in bunkers"

 This occurs despite the fact that many golf courses allocate significant resources to maintain bunkers in near perfect condition. A good argument can be made since

the bunker is a hazard,

inconsistency in the sand is a reasonable expectation. In reality, consistency is impossible to achieve anyway, since bunkers are not uniform in shape, size, or depth and the sand itself changes over time. Sand depth varies throughout the bunker, the sand is deeper in the bottom of the bunker and shallower on the sloping bunker face.  The minimum recommended sand depth on the bottom of the bunker is 4". Attempting to maintain this 4" depth on the bunker face may result in "fried egg lies". A condition so named when a golf ball becomes embedded in the sand. Since there are varying sand depths in bunkers this results in varying moisture levels in the sand and varying moisture levels quickly impacts the sands playing quality.
 For example, many bunkers have steep sloping sand faces that are difficult to maintain. During heavy rains, the sand is dislodged and replaced the sand is loosened and more proned to "fried egg lies".
 In contrast, undisturbed sand produces a much firmer surface. When sand is washed off the bunker face it mixes with the underlying soil, which changes  playing quality. Eventually this results in poor drainage and bunkers that may end up looking like a water hazard.
 Ultimately, it's impossible to achieve consistency and playing quality from one bunker to the next. Skilled players learn to develop a feel fro the condition of the sand and adjust there shot accordingly.

USGA Golf Etiquette

Care of the Course

Bunkers

Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes

Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

Preventing Unnecessary Damage

Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed

USGA Golf Etiquette

Pace of Play

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.


Be Ready to Play

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

Lost Ball

If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.

They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

USGA Golf Etiquette

Safety

Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.

Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "fore."

Understanding Frost

 Some golfers find it hard to believe that simply walking across a frosted putting green early in the morning is enough to cause damage that will be viewed by golfers. But the proof is in the dead grass that shows up in each footprint a few days later. keep in mind, a group of four typically takes up to 300 footsteps or more on each green.
 It's not completely understood when frost will cause damage, so the decision to keep traffic off the golf course has to be made conservatively to protect the condition of the golf course. That's why most golf courses delay starting times in the morning until the frost has melted.
 Frost is essential frozen dew, the ice crystals that form on the outside of the plant also can form on the inside of the grass blade. The grass plant normally resilient to a persons footsteps becomes more brittle and fragile when ice crystals form. The damage is amplified when the plant is mowed down as is on a putting green. When the plant is in this condition, the added pressure from a footstep causes the plant cells to rupture and the plant is often unable to repair itself. You won't see the damage right away but it will show up in the following days as the plant starts to die.
 The next time the pro shop informs you a delayed starting time due to a frost; Take the time to enjoy an extra cup of coffee. Knowing that you are doing your part to keep the golf course in good condition.

Good Bunker Etiquette

 Most golfers learn early on they should clean up after playing a stroke from the bunker.
 Smoothing out the footprints and suppression is a task that should be done every time!!!
 But many golfers are unaware that there is more to good bunker etiquette that simply just smoothing the surface. First, always use a rake to smooth the sand surface!!! Trying to smooth footprints and the suppression with your foot or the back of the golf club accomplishes very little.
 When raking sand towards the edge of the bunker, do not pull large amounts of sand over the edge. Doing so, can result in damage to the mowing equipment.
 When finished with the rake, place it near the bunker in a location that will reduce the chances of it coming into play. The USGA recommends placing the rake outside the bunker and parallel to the line of play. Preferably away from the target line between the fairway and the green. This is to reduce the chance of the rake influencing the players ball.
 Some golf courses prefer that the rake be placed in the bunker, if this is the case place the rake in a flat portion of the bunker. If the rake is placed on a steep face of the bunker it can easily result in a ball lodging up against the rake on the up slope. When the rake is moved the ball can also move and then will have to be replaced under the USGA rules of golf
 Always enter and exit the bunker on the low side. Climbing in and out of high sides causes major damage to the bunker face and the surroundings side.
 Follow the same path in and out of the bunker. This reduces the amount of raking necessary to repair the surface for the next player.
 Take the time to fix the damage you have caused and any nearby damage someone else might have left behind.
 Bunker maintenance is an extremely expensive part of taking care of the course. Golfers can free up workers for many other tasks simply by practicing good bunker etiquette.

 In my experience, there are way too many opinions about the correct placements of bunkers. So I simply ask players to replace the rake as they would want to find it when they approach a bunker. Let's take care of each other and respect the players that are still to come.

Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent

Rain Gear

 Thought everyone would get a good laugh out of this photo. The photo is an employee of ours down here in the golf course maintenance department.
 Sergio Fernandez (Checo) is well protected for wet and cold conditions. Checo is a 22 year employee to Willow Fork CC. He is an outstanding employee to the company and is dedicated as well. Not to many people can keep up with his work quality and timing of completing assignments.

 If you see Checo on the course sometime, feel free to stop and say hello. He enjoys visiting with the members while on duty. Checo and his partner Serafin Gomez also do lawn maintenance for a number of the homeowners around the course.