A sand trap, often known as a bunker, is a sand-filled area on a golf course designed to capture and hold wayward golf shots. A sand wedge is a high-lofted iron used to hit out of sand traps or to accomplish very short golf shots. Making a par after being in a sand trap is sandy slang for making a par.
What is the problem with sand on the golf course?
Most of the issue is with golfers, who tend to view sand as too soft, hard, wet, dry or inconsistent. The amount of sand in a bunker also can be an issue.
What type of sand is best for golf balls?
Therefore, highly angular sand with low sphericity will obtain the best penetrometer reading and offer the best resistance to compression from the golf ball. This translates into a low tendency for a ball to bury in the sand, which minimizes the dreaded fried egg lie.
Are sand bunkers good or bad for golf courses?
Sand bunkers remain one of the most important concerns for golf course superintendents, and like greens conditions, they’re controversial. Most of the issue is with golfers, who tend to view sand as too soft, hard, wet, dry or inconsistent.
Why is sand applied to putting greens?
Why Is Sand Applied To Putting Greens? March 17, 2017 By USGA Green Section Light and frequent sand topdressing creates smooth, firm putting surfaces. For most, there are three primary characteristics that constitute a quality putting surface: (1) a smooth surface, (2) a firm surface and (3) healthy turf.
What are the sand things called in golf?
Bunker A depression in bare ground that is usually covered with sand. Also called a “sand trap”. It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Why do golfers have sand pits?
Sand bunkers provide a psychological landmark. They accentuate the hole and provide targets for directing the golfer to a defined landing area whether it is the fairway or green. Sand bunkers provide safety buffers for adjacent fairways, tees or greens, both physically and visually.
Why are they called bunkers in golf?
Early golf developed on links land, where sand blew across the course and 'burns' (small rivers) ran across it to the sea. In time these were shaped into the hazards that they are today, especially the sand, putting it in pits called bunkers.
Why do they call sand traps bunkers?
A sand trap is a bunker filled with sand, so it can still be called a bunker.
What is the sand pit called in golf?
BunkersBunkers (or sand traps) are shallow pits filled with sand and generally incorporating a raised lip or barrier, from which the ball is more difficult to play than from grass.
What is a bunker called in golf?
Bunkers sometimes get colloquially called sand traps, but bunker is the official term used in the rules of golf.
What is a sand trap?
Definition of sand trap : an artificial hazard on a golf course consisting of a depression containing sand.
What is a fairway bunker called?
Waste Bunker In some cases, waste bunkers even replace rough altogether and borders fairways directly, or after a margin of first cut.
What are grass bunkers?
"Grass bunker" is a term many golfers use for an indentation in the ground, or a hollowed-out area on a golf course, that is filled not with sand but with grass. Another way of putting it: A grass bunker is a depression full of rough ... which could certainly be depressing to a golfer who hits into one.
What are hazards now called in golf?
In the 2019 Rules of Golf, water hazards are now known as "penalty areas."
Is a sand trap a hazard in golf?
When weighing up the options a player has out of a bunker, they must first realise a sand trap is classed as a hazard. Like water hazards, bunkers have a different set of rules when compared to normal shots from the fairway or rough. This means you have options and don't always have to play the ball as it lies.
Do you really need a sand wedge?
Most golfers agree that a sand wedge is essential in your bag. As your experience and skills grow you can look at other wedges but to start with one should have at least a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. The Cleveland CBX 2 Sand Wedge is an example of a quality sand wedge that will work well for most golfers.
When should you use a sand wedge?
Some typical situations that would call for a sand wedge are:the ball is in the sand (of course)the ball is sitting in muddy ground, and/or is sitting down in the rough.the ball is on firm grass and you want to hit a higher, softer shot.
Can I chip with my sand wedge?
For the average golfer, chipping with a sand wedge should only be used when you need to get the ball over an obstacle. A sand wedge is much more prone to chunking or topping the ball, and is why most golfers should use a gap or pitching wedge in most cases.
Why do golf courses punch greens?
The goal of aerating greens is twofold. First, the process helps to reduce the likelihood that the soil will compact on the greens. The second goal is to get air circulating down through the soil and the roots. The hope is that this will keep everything healthy for many years to come.
What is golf sand made of?
Golf course sands are different. They are made of round particles “resembling a bucket of balls with large pore spaces between each ball ,” Kidd says. They promote good drainage, and healthy air and water circulation.
Why is sanding greens important?
The green might get spongy, or develop brown spots, or become vulnerable to scalping during mowing. Sanding helps protect against all that. That’s not all, Kidd says. Sanding also improves drainage and helps level out the green, creating smooth, consistent putting surfaces, and firm, fast conditions year round.
Why do you aerate greens?
Aeration comes in when soils are heavily compacted or the turf is thick with thatch. The greens get punched and sanded, and the sand is worked into each aeration hole to improve air and water flow, giving the roots a better chance to drink and breathe. There is, of course, plenty more to the science of sanding.
Do superintendents sand putting surfaces?
Superintendents don’t sand putting surfaces simply to annoy you. They do it for the long-term health of the greens. That’s the gist. But since you’ve been inconvenienced, you deserve to know precisely why.
Is sanding a science?
As you can probably see, there’s a science to sanding, and on golf courses today, Kidd says, that science is “very precise.”. When you sand and how much sand you use is critically important. Sand too heavily at the wrong time of year, and you risk a range of problems. It’s best to do the work in good weather, Kidd says.
Do you need to sand your lawn?
Depending on how you use your own yard, you might never want or need to sand it. But if you do, be sure to use the right sand, in the right amounts, at the right time.
Is sand good for grass?
They’re made up of angular particles that are meant “to provide strength and structure.”. That’s good for buildings, but bad for grass, as the sand binds together, reducing the air and water flow needed for healthy root growth. Golf course sands are different.
What is a back door putt?
Back-door putt: A putt that catches the edge of the hole, spins around to the back of the hole, and falls into the cup off that back edge of the hole. Barkie: A bet won by a golf who makes par on a hole after his golf ball hit a tree. Also called a "woody" or "woodie" (and sometimes spelled "barky").
What is dawn patrol?
Dawn Patrol: Golfers or groups of golfers who prefer to play as early as possible in the morning - right at the crack of dawn if possible. Golfers who make up the dawn patrol are the first ones to get on the course. In that vein, dawn patrol is the same as "dew sweepers.".
What is a golf cart jockey?
Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...
What is golf slang?
Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.
What is an abominable snowman?
Abominable Snowman: A score of 9 (even worse than an 8, which is called a snowman) on a hole. Aircraft Carrier: A long, flat, rectangular teeing ground, one that is usually elevated a few feet above the level of the surrounding turf and that includes all the tees for that hole.
What is a sunblock golfer?
Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers (a k a, at the beach). Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" - another term for a mulligan (do-over). Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments, or the rearmost tees at any golf course. U.S.G.A .:
What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?
Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.