OBSTACLE FACTORS
Section 12
5. BUNKERS
GENERAL Evaluate how bunkers come into play and how difficult they are to recover from. Bunker ratings are based on: • The Green Target rating values; • Fraction of the green closely bordered by bunkers; and • Difficulty of recovery from the bunker(s) — bunker size and depth, bunker lip, sand condition, etc. NOTE: Grass hollows, even if they were bunkers at one time, are rated only under Recoverability and Rough. Prepared “waste areas” are rated as Bunkers, as well as R&R. The table assumes a fairway bunker(s) exists near a fairway landing zone for the scratch player and anywhere along the line of play for the bogey player. Bunkers within 20 yards of the edge of the landing zone in any direction are considered to be “near” the landing zone. Appropriate adjustments, (EXTREME, etc.), for fairway bunkers may be applied only for those bunkers that are “near” the landing zone for the scratch or bogey player. BUNKER FRACTION Bunkers that closely border a green are those effectively within 10 yards of the edge of the green. The fraction of the green closely bordered by bunkers can be determined by walking the circumference of the green and counting the number of paces where bunkers closely border the green. Divide the perimeter closely bordered by bunkers by the green circumference to find the ratio. The circumference of a traditionally shaped green (if not fully paced) can be determined as π (3.14) multiplied by the average diameter. For example, bunkers closely border 30 yards of a green’s edge. The average diameter of the green is 27 yards and its circumference is 85 (3.14 x 27 ≈ 85). The ratio of 30/85 is between ¼ and ½ of the green circumference. BUNKER DEPTH The depth of a greenside bunker (DEPTH (D) adjustment) is measured from points where most recovery shots are made to a height that would get the ball onto the areas of the green where most holes are located. It may be necessary to use an averaged depth for tiered or large sloped greens. When there are many bunkers of various depths in play, start with a rating for the deepest, but temper it by evaluating which bunkers come most into play and how difficult they are to recover from, lowering the initial adjustment if appropriate. PAR-3 HOLES On a reachable Par-3 hole, reduce the table value by one (i.e. use the NO (N) adjustment as there are no assumed fairway bunkers. If the bogey player cannot reach the centre of the green in one shot, greenside bunkers may qualify as “fairway” bunkers, even though there is no “fairway” on a par-3 hole. 55
