Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Rob Marshall on June 18, 2022, 04:29:02 PM

Title: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Rob Marshall on June 18, 2022, 04:29:02 PM
We have flat bottom bunkers. We are getting “goat trails” in the grass faces just above the sand. Looks life a 6” flat shelve. Anyone have any ideas as to why we would be getting these? We’re a little baffled.
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Ben Malach on June 18, 2022, 09:33:28 PM
People are walking out of the fronts of bunkers.
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Rob Marshall on June 18, 2022, 09:41:03 PM
People are walking out of the fronts of bunkers.


No, it’s all the way around the bunkers. Even on faces too steep to climb out.
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Ben Malach on June 18, 2022, 11:11:16 PM
Then it's probably just setting, erosion and washouts. Bunkers evolve and that's the coolest thing about golf courses.
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Anthony_Nysse on June 18, 2022, 11:19:44 PM
We have flat bottom bunkers. We are getting “goat trails” in the grass faces just above the sand. Looks life a 6” flat shelve. Anyone have any ideas as to we would be getting these? We’re a little baffled.


Possibly from where the bunker raking team is raking the edges of the bunker. Using the rake to pull the sand from the floor to the interface of sand and grass. Seen it happen at both Pete Dye courses I’ve worked at. Need to rake from the inside of the bunker.
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Alan FitzGerald CGCS MG on June 19, 2022, 05:36:55 AM
I like Anthonys suggestion.


Assuming they were renovated (and how they were redone) there's a chance the soil is settling along the edges.


A few pictures would be great to really see what's going on
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Cal Carlisle on June 19, 2022, 09:45:23 AM
We have flat bottom bunkers. We are getting “goat trails” in the grass faces just above the sand. Looks life a 6” flat shelve. Anyone have any ideas as to we would be getting these? We’re a little baffled.

Could it be goats? I kid.

Where is this golf course at? What kind of grass, soil, etc. My guess, like the others said, is the maintenance crew as most golfers generally have no desire to be up on that area (or reason to slowing track around the perimeter of the bank). Raking, edging, flowmowing from the bank. As the others said, a couple of photos would be helpful, if you can figure out how to do it.
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Joe Hancock on June 19, 2022, 10:30:33 AM
We have flat bottom bunkers. We are getting “goat trails” in the grass faces just above the sand. Looks life a 6” flat shelve. Anyone have any ideas as to we would be getting these? We’re a little baffled.

Could it be goats? I kid.



Perfect Dad joke on Father’s Day!
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Cal Carlisle on June 19, 2022, 10:45:38 AM
We have flat bottom bunkers. We are getting “goat trails” in the grass faces just above the sand. Looks life a 6” flat shelve. Anyone have any ideas as to we would be getting these? We’re a little baffled.

Could it be goats? I kid.



Perfect Dad joke on Father’s Day!


Glad you caught that. Hadn't thought about the Father's Day connection!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Goat trails in bunkers
Post by: Rob Marshall on June 19, 2022, 11:55:21 AM
I like Anthonys suggestion.


Assuming they were renovated (and how they were redone) there's a chance the soil is settling along the edges.


A few pictures would be great to really see what's going on


New construction bunkers. Rochester NY. I believe the grass around the bunkers is fescue.