Should the green side bunkers be filled in for pga events.

[Jack from Canada]

Like in the 80,s and the 90s, todays pro aim for green side bunkers as a bail out or not that bad of a consequence for missing a front pin placement. Though they say their averages are 50% plus most pros in contention make over 70% sandsaves in most tournaments.

As the sand trap has become more of a safe way to play a par four than really offering the level of difficulty they used too, should the green side bunker be filled in with 6 inch grass bunkers or should they be amended in some way to raked gravelly traps that Oakmont is famous for and the pros want no part of or is there something else that they can be changed to as to make missing a green more punitive.

[XATHANASI]

The best thing to do would be to put more restrictions on equipment.

1. All wedges may have no more than 1* bounce
2. All wedges may be no more than 29" long
3. All wedges must be grooveless

That should do it... for now. 

[rcain1us]

Ask Ernie Els if the bunkers at the BMW are a safe bailout.

Not every shot in the sand gets a perfect lie, and even when they do there is still the superfast greens to deal with. If anything go to the groved bunkers that Jack started at the Memorial.

If we have to mutilate a golf course further beyond adding length, growing rough and hardening greens in order for the pro's to play it, why bother playing it at all.

[bl8d]

Nah !forget the greenside or any other fairway modifications.
 If you want to make a tournament tough just forget the freebies. That will be enough to keep them awake at nights and insecure. Imagine , no car , no free buffets for them and the family ,no free daycare, mom can't trip around  on guided excursions. Life would be hell in the bedroom and on the course.

[vsutp]

I don't understand tournaments' problems with just letting them shoot low scores.  Why alter the course to make it so difficult that it is almost ridiculous?

[TerdFerguson]

Let's say a green is hard to hold from whatever distance out.  If there was no danger in front of the green, wouldn't they just hit it short and let it run up?  I don't mind the low scores either but if you really wanted to penalize them, my guess is you would have to put water in front, tall grass bunkers, or big a$$ rocks that the ball can get lost in or bounce off of.

[jsfain]

or just remove the rakes, let them play a trap as it is found, with footprints and cigarette ends and pine cones, just like the rest of us.

[VICTORY]

like the idea of the bunkers being raked - with deep trenches..     

[RickB]

I like to see a variety around the greens. Ideally every green would have bunkers, some heavier rough and some closely mown chipping areas. That would reward guys who had all the shots and punish those that are weak in one or more areas. In most cases the bunkers on tour are too perfect. They're nice and firm so that balls rarely plug and shots out can be controlled. The sand should be softer so that they're a little more of a penalty. Despite all the uproar over the furrows at The Memorial that didn't accomplish much. Sand save rates hardly changed at all. I think they're on the right track though. Maybe if the furrows were a little wider and deeper it would be more challenging.

[ASK3L]

The best thing to do would be to put more restrictions on equipment.

1. All wedges may have no more than 1* bounce
2. All wedges may be no more than 29" long
3. All wedges must be grooveless

That should do it... for now. 

You think they still couldn't up and down it with that and a LOT of practice. Why not go the whole hog and say they have to kick it out 
(no need for anyone to send in pics of the tour issue Footjoys)

[DaveT319]

Like I have said before, if I want to watch guys struggling to make par, I can go to my local course. The reason I like to watch these guys is because they are good and can make birdie after birdie. Watching them struggle is not fun to me.

Dave

[Thruzek]

 Rake the bunkers like Jack had them raked at the Memorial a few years back. It gave the pro fits. It made hitting a bunker hazardous!!!! Also change the consistency of the sand. That will also throw them a curve.

T

[RickB]

Like I have said before, if I want to watch guys struggling to make par, I can go to my local course. The reason I like to watch these guys is because they are good and can make birdie after birdie. Watching them struggle is not fun to me.

Just how good are they if the courses need to be set up a special way? Just how good are they if furrowed bunkers throw them into a tizzy? If they're that good they should be able to extricate themselves from trouble and they should also be able to plan a way to avoid the trouble. God forbid they might actually have to think themselves around the course rather than firing at every stick because they don't fear the consequences of missing.

[DaveT319]

Just how good are they if the courses need to be set up a special way? Just how good are they if furrowed bunkers throw them into a tizzy? If they're that good they should be able to extricate themselves from trouble and they should also be able to plan a way to avoid the trouble. God forbid they might actually have to think themselves around the course rather than firing at every stick because they don't fear the consequences of missing.

They aren't set up special, other than faster greens. The rough is usually longer than it would be if you played the course 6 months after the tournament. And furrowed bunkers would screw up anyone. The pros are no exception. I just don't like the idea of tricking up a course just to give the pros fits.

Dave

[obsessed_duffer]

The furrowed bunkers are really not a bad idea. Better yet, make some of the bunkers rock hard concrete thin lie, nighmares like I sometimes play.

[SBR67]

All sand traps should be done away with unless the course is built on naturally sandy ground. </end traditional crazy talk>

Since that will never happen, put the Memorial rake in the bunkers and a little more lip on them. A bunker is supposed to be a hazard.

[Wheeler_WackG2]

The bunkers a groomed so nicely that they are a safe bailout for everyone. They shouldnt groom them as much. Plain and simple.

[bulldog8b]

or just remove the rakes, let them play a trap as it is found, with footprints and cigarette ends and pine cones, just like the rest of us.

I like that idea, except that they need to also make 1 bunker perfect, then the next should have no sand and be like concrete, the one after that should be the consistency of whipped cream and the one after that should be mud.  Mix that in w/ rocks, pine cones, foot prints and ant hills and bunkers become a hazard.  Oh, snake holes are always good too.  It might make them play a little quicker.