Golf Course Bunker

Abstract

A golf course bunker (10) comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal and staggered layers (11)of artificial grass turf is disclosed. The layers (11) may each be pre-impregnated with sand. The layers of artificial grass define an exterior surface of the bunker and the interior (5) of the bunker may be formed of different material. A method of construction is also disclosed which may include steps of excavating a bunker and laying artificial grass in horizontal layers (11) to face the exterior surface of the excavation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a National Stage entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of international application PCT / GB2011 / 051297, which claims priority from, UK Patent Application Number 1011669.7 filed on 10 Jul. 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention concerns a golf course bunker and a method of constructing a golf course bunker.[0003]The maintenance of a golf course is crucial to the golfer and as such to the success of a golf course in general. The level of maintenance is directly related to many issues, but it is the quality of the playing surfaces and the appearance of the golf course that matter most to the average golfer. One of the most demanding areas in terms of the expense, time, effort and labour is the maintenance of golf course bunkers. Golf bunkers are critical to the strategy and appearance of most golf courses and this has b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new kind of golf course bunker that uses artificial grass layers arranged in a staggered pattern. This creates a more natural and visually appealing appearance. The method includes cutting the artificial grass layers and arranging them in a staggered pattern to match the slope of the bunker. This new invention makes the design of golf course bunkers more challenging and helps to improve the overall quality of the game.

Problems solved by technology

The level of maintenance is directly related to many issues, but it is the quality of the playing surfaces and the appearance of the golf course that matter most to the average golfer.

One of the most demanding areas in terms of the expense, time, effort and labour is the maintenance of golf course bunkers.

Despite this long time span, and the many efforts that have been made, no satisfactory solution has been developed that can substantially reduce the maintenance burden, whilst at the same time ensuring that bunker quality is retained.

There are many different types of bunkers, but the problems described above are common to all bunkers.

Steep faced, or revetted face bunkers which are often critical components in the character of many golf courses (common on links land golf courses in the UK) are particularly susceptible to undermining and collapse.

Slopes that face adverse prevailing weather conditions can often become unstable much sooner than that.

This is only possible via the large amounts of grant aid and sponsor money made available to support major professional tournaments.

This sort of solution is impossible on financial grounds for the vast majority of golf courses.

Furthermore, the large volume of irrigation water required raises the issue of sustainability and it is highly questionable whether this sort of practice should be permitted by agencies with environmental responsibility.

However, very little of this prior art appears to have become widespread in the golfing world, and the problem of bunker face and edge maintenance remains an unsolved issue.

Recent solutions have included seemingly dangerous and / or ineffective use of timber facings, formed in some cases simply by arranging vertically extending lengths of timber against the inner wall or face of the bunker.

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