BUNKER WORK 1.

The bunkers on the golf courses usually have to rebuilt  every 4 - 5 years but this is dependant on where the bunker is and how often it is used. Some of the lesser used bunkers may well last longer whilst those in constant use might have to be rebuilt sooner. The traditional method of constructing a links bunkers is to build a revetted face using turf sods in a brick wall like fashion. The angle of the face is dependant on whether it is a fairway or a greenside bunker, with the fairway bunkers faces not as steep as those of greenside ones. It takes 2 men about 3 - 4 days to re-build an average size bunker from start to finish but this depends on whether any major re-contouring work around the bunker is required.

 Anyone who has been out on the links recently will have no doubt seen a number of bunkers that have already been rebuilt or others that are still work in progress.

A brief step by step guide on how we build our bunkers can be seen below.

Left hand fairway bunker - 18th Medal course

The first step is to cut the turf around the bunker using a petrol turf cutter,  this turf is then lifted and kept for relaying at the end.  The old revetted wall is then dug out by hand. At this time, if it is felt that the walk in is too difficult to get in and out of, we will try and lower the ground leading in, as shown in the photo above.

Once the old face has been removed, the base of the bunker is levelled and firmed by foot. The first row of turf is then laid down to the desired shape and size. Turf being prepared for the second row can be seen around the outside of the bunker. Each turf is cut to roughly 2 feet in length by 6 inches wide. The joints between each row of turf is staggered from that of the row below to ensure the wall is strong and stable. 

Each row that is added has to be back-filled with soil and firmed up. It is very important to take time to do this properly as this is what is going to help support the turf wall. Each row is set back 2-3 inches from the previous row to achieve the desired angle. 

As the face progresses checks are made to ensure that the angle of the wall is straight. Because the face of the bunker increases in height from the back to the front, tapers are made at the ends of each row to ensure that the top edge of the face rises gently and evenly.

Because of issues with balls plugging near the face of bunkers, we have recently started to lay a base layer of upside down turf inside the inner edge of the bunker face ( shown in the above photo ). We curve these turves to create a bowl shape.  Previously we used to just build up sand around the bottom of the face to achieve this desired shape but this excess sand was causing  balls to plug. We now cover this base layer with about 2 inches of sand which reduces the chances of balls plugging up near the face.  Initial indications are positive and the problem seems to be diminishing.

Once all the building work is complete, the area around the bunker is finished off with soil, contoured and re-turfed. The face is cleaned up with the use of a blower, and the turfed areas top dressed with sand to fill in any small gaps.

The finished bunker will remain out of play until the start of the new season when it will be topped up with fresh sand and raked into shape.

Les Rae,

First Assistant,

Montrose Golf Links Limited.