When you concentrate on hazards on a golf course, water and thick tough normally come to thoughts first. At Oakmont Nation Membership, website of this week’s U.S. Open, it’s not the water that’s wrecking scorecards. It’s the bunkers. Particularly, the notorious Church Pew bunkers. These are situated between holes 3 and 4, they usually come into play on each holes. Shot Scope discovered some information on simply how punishing these bunkers are and it could shock you.
The numbers don’t lie
In accordance with Shot Scope information:
On gap 3, gamers who find yourself within the Church Pew bunker lose a mean of 1.25 strokes, greater than double the common bunker penalty.
On gap 4, they lose 0.61 strokes after they discover the pews.
Examine that to a typical bunker, the place amateurs lose round 0.5 strokes. That’s a giant distinction and purpose to worry this hazard.
So what makes these bunkers worse than regular?
Each U.S. Open course has one thing that stands out about it. Other than the truth that the Church Pew bunkers at Oakmont are monumental (and are available into play on two holes), there may be extra to those that makes them troublesome to cope with.
Right here’s why the Church Pews are in a category of their very own:
They’re large. The principle bunker stretches over 100 yards and impacts a number of holes. You may’t simply intention away from it; it’s at all times in play.
The ridges aren’t simply visible. These grass “pews” break up the sand and go away gamers with awkward lies, uneven stances and blocked-out views.
Escape isn’t assured. Most gamers are hitting one thing between a wedge and an 8-iron to get out. For those who catch it a bit of fats or get too grasping, you’re nonetheless in there.
Are bunkers probably the most harmful hazard at your own home course?
Some bunkers find yourself being a greater spot to overlook a shot than thick tough or a water hazard. Nonetheless, not all bunkers are created equal. The Church Pew bunkers are a fantastic instance of what separates a “manageable” bunker from a spherical killer.
At your own home course, ensure you are analyzing the bunker earlier than you set collectively your plan to flee.
Flat bunker with room to swing? You would possibly nonetheless go for the inexperienced.
Deep bunker with a lip or sloped lie? Take your drugs. Simply get out.
The Church Pew bunkers remind us that ego kills extra scores than execution. Attempting to drag off the miracle shot from a troublesome bunker would possibly look heroic however the smarter play is commonly sideways, particularly if the lie is unhealthy or the lip is excessive.
Closing thought
The professionals at Oakmont know what they’re up in opposition to however once you see what number of pictures they’re shedding in these bunkers, it comes as a shock. The info proves it. Some bunkers need to be averted in any respect prices.
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