It is pretty common nowadays to visit golf courses that are raking bunkers using the “Aussie method.” This technique involves smoothing the sand around bunker edges using the backs of rakes, paint rollers, squeegees, carpet pieces on sticks, and who knows what else. Once the smooth edge is achieved, these areas are then left alone as much as possible. The bunker bottoms are raked regularly either by hand or mechanically.
One of the main drivers behind raking bunkers this way is to reduce the chance of balls getting hung up on a steep slope or next to a bunker edge because the unraked areas usually develop a firm crust that repels shots. Some argue that this method also reduces labor inputs for bunker maintenance since parts of the bunker may go unraked for days or weeks. In my former life as a golf course superintendent, I raked hundreds of bunkers this way. I didn’t like it then, I don’t like it now. Based on superintendent feedback and my own experience, here are five reasons to rethink the Aussie method.
Debatable labor savings: Smoothing the sides and keeping these areas in good condition can take just as much time as raking them normally. Between golfer traffic, animal tracks and other issues, the “untouched” areas still require a fair amount of upkeep.
A perfect environment for weeds: When sand is not raked regularly, it is an ideal place for grass and broadleaf weeds to germinate and mature. As the weeds begin to proliferate, regular weeding or spraying must happen, which may require more labor than was saved with less raking.
Algae: Nearly every instance of algae in bunkers that I see in my travels is a result of raking them with the Aussie method. Undisturbed sides end up retaining moisture near the surface. Algae loves this environment and begins to contaminate the sand. Scooping out algae or – worse yet – spraying fungicides for it, adds more cost than normal raking.
Manufactured inconsistency: I’m absolutely not championing the idea that bunkers should be consistent all the time, but creating two different surfaces in the bunker introduces an unnecessary inconsistency. The ball could end up in a smooth area, a raked area, or between the two.
You can’t win: Whether a bunker is fully raked, Aussie raked or not raked, golfers are generally unhappy about finding themselves in the sand. If the recovery shot is less than acceptable, there must be something wrong with the bunker.
Given these challenges with the Aussie method, maybe it’s time to start raking bunkers the way we used to.
West Region Agronomists:
Brian Whitlark, regional director – bwhitlark@usga.org
Cory Isom, agronomist – cisom@usga.org