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Research: Bunkers
Bunkers are reputedly the second highest expense in a maintenance budget. Bunker sand testing has consisted of a single penetrometer reading of a dry sand sample. The problem has been relating the reading to actual field performance.
NML conducted field research to determine the relationship of its test results to field conditions. Bunkers were selected from multiple courses. The selected bunkers ranged from relatively flat structures to those with steep faces. The selected bunkers also had sands that ranged from fairly round to highly angular in shape.
The following conditions were observed:
- Moisture content had a measurable impact on a sand’s resistance, and a substantial percentage of bunkers are played in a moist condtion;
- The resistance to ball burying on the face of a bunker was significantly different from a bunker’s flat base;
- The resistance to ball burying also changed if the sand in the bunker was fluffed up by deep raking or allowed to settle;
- Once a golf ball penetrated to its mid-point, the maximum amount of surface area was exposed to the sand and increased the ball’s resistance to burying; and
- The difference between angular and rounded sands in terms of resistance was quantifiable.
Based on the field research, the NML lab procedures were modified to emulate field conditions. Furthermore, the results reported are compared to the sands that are commonly found in tournament venues. When a client sends NML a sample for testing, the results:
- Predict the moisture content of the sand in the field in a moist condition – those conditions are caused by irrigation overspray, rain events, and syringing of the bunkers;
- Predict the resistance of the sand on a bunker’s face – including steep faces – as well as its base;
- Predict the resistance of the sand whether in fluffed or settled condtion;
- Relate the test results to actual field test results of those sands used at tournament venues; and
- Include microscope photos of the sand to verify our angularity and sphericity assessments.
A copy of a sample bunker sand report is included in the Sample Reports section. The table relating the tested sand to field results has been excluded to protect its proprietary content.
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Bunkers
Deflocculation
Drainage
Root Zone:
Mix Testing vs. Field Performance
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