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Bunkers are common features that can enhance
the practicality and the enjoyment of a putting green. They
require some planning and careful installation, but can be
perfected with a little knowledge. A bunker is a feature that
can enhance the look of a putting green and greatly improve
a golfers skill with practice. There is no difference between
the bunkers you can install from the ones you play on at your
local course.
The most important aspect of any bunker installation
is proper drainage. When deciding on the location of a bunker,
make sure the bunker is not in a drain area. This means do
not place your bunker in a low spot on the property. A bunker
that is placed on a low spot, no matter the size of the drainage
area built in the bottom of the bunker, will look like a lake
every time it rains. Once an area has been selected, take
the field paint and make an outline for the bunker placement.
Caution - Before
you dig the first blade in the ground locate all underground
lines, including utilities and sprinkler system lines. This
one step can save you countless headaches. Also place your
bunker at least 4 to 6 paces away from your putting green.
This will prevent you from continually flipping large amounts
of sand onto your putting green. The sand that you do hit
onto the surface will have to be eventually swept off the
surface to reduce build up.
When digging the bunker out, dig the bunker
between 3-4 feet deep. It is a good idea when you remove this
material, to use it to bring the area around the green up
to grade ( so the green will rise above the natural surface
at this time). After you have reached the shape you desire
for your bunker, dig a trench 1 foot wide and at least 1 foot
deep down the middle of the bunker. Take precaution not to
"crush" in the sides (or commonly called the lip)
of the bunker when you are working in this area. Taper the
sides of the bunker down towards the trench in the middle.
This will let the water filter into the trench at the bottom
of the bunker. Whenever possible, install a perforated pipe
in the bottom of the drain cavity and drain it away from the
bunker. This will not always be possible or practical, but
when possible it is a good feature to build in. Place the
pipe in the bottom of the trench and you'll never have a problem
with drainage no matter how much water comes in.
At this point, fill the trench with washed gravel
2.5 to 3 inches in diameter about six inches from the top
of the trench. Then fill the remaining portion of the trench
with half inch or less gravel. This can be purchased in 50-lb.
bags from any home improvement center or gravel company for
larger jobs. At this point place a landscaping tarp over the
bottom of the bunker. This material is a dense cloth like
material that allows water to penetrate the tarp but keeps
sand from washing through.
The next step in the process is to fill the
bunker with "bunker sand". This is a grade of sand
that is specific for bunkers and is not your average washed
sand. The best place to locate bunker sand is to call several
of your local courses and ask the superintendent where they
purchase their sand. This will give you a lead on where to
find this material. When purchasing this material it is advised
to purchase an additional amount of material and store it
away. You will no doubt, in the future, want to replace some
of this material and small quantities are not a price efficient
purchase. Also do not over fill your bunker with sand. This
will only make the sand difficult to play out of. The bunker
should have some firmness. You do not want to step in a bunker
and sink up to your ankles in sand.
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