Golf Course Bunker

a bunker and golf course technology, applied in the field of golf course bunkers, can solve the problems of time, effort and labor, and no satisfactory solution has been developed to substantially reduce the maintenance burden of all bunkers, and achieve the effect of reducing the maintenance burden and improving the maintenance efficiency

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-05-09
ALLEN RICHARD ALEC +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]A method of constructing a golf course bunker at a golf course includes forming an excavation having an exterior surface, cutting layers of artificial grass from one or more p

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 weath

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0037]the invention is shown in FIG. 1, which illustrates in cross-section a bunker 10 on a golf course, the bunker 10 comprising a plurality of layers 11 of artificial grass. The use of artificial grass, placed in horizontal layers at a varying stagger creates a durable, low maintenance, bunker, in particular the slopes and edges of the bunker 10. In this embodiment, it is the use of artificial grass in horizontal layers 11 in forming the bunker face that makes it unique and different to any previous attempts at using artificial grass in the golfing environment.

[0038]FIG. 2 shows a close-up / enlarged view of region “A” of FIG. 1. It will be seen from FIG. 2 that the at least some of the layers 11 of artificial grass are staggered, thereby defining steps 12 between at least some adjacent layers 11.

[0039]Each layer 11 of artificial grass comprises a latex backing material 13 and a polypropylene pile material 14 attached to the backing material. The depth of the pile 14 is 20 mm. The a...

second embodiment

[0045]Where bunker faces are proposed to be more than 1200 mm high, there may be a need for additional support / techniques of providing structural strength and / or integrity. Such additional support / techniques are described below with reference to the bunker of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0046]Ongoing maintenance may also be required. However, the maintenance of the artificial grass faces is minimal compared with traditional solutions that are formed from growing grass sod. The artificial faces are not reliant on good natural growing conditions or regular watering to keep their integrity and are much more durable to everyday wear and tear. Maintenance will be limited to occasional brushing to remove excess sand build up.

[0047]Aesthetics are very important, and the horizontal layering is critical in delivering the desired appearance. A very natural and pleasing appearance can be achieved by means of embodiments of the present invention.

[0048]FIGS. 4 and 5 show section...

third embodiment

[0049]FIG. 6 shows a bunker 210 illustrating in highly schematic form the type of 3-dimensional shape of bunker made possible by means of the present invention. Thus the bunker 210 includes a base 216 that is substantially horizontal and filled with sand, which is surrounded by a steeply sloping retaining wall defined by multiple staggered layers 211 of artificial turf. The bunker is formed as a depression in the surrounding land and thus the top region 215 of the bunker is relatively flat, and is level with the surrounding land. In this embodiment, the top region 215 is in the form of natural turf which terminates at the edge between the flat level land at the top region 215 and the steeply sloping retaining wall. In the finished bunker, the multiple layers 211 that form the side wall of the bunker are readily visible when close to the bunker, but are defined by materials such that from a distance the look and appearance of the bunker marries in well to its surroundings.

[0050]Whil...

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PUM

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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...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A63B69/36
CPCA63B57/0068A63B69/3691A63B69/3661A63B57/50E01C13/00E01C13/08
Inventor ALLEN, RICHARD ALEC
Owner ALLEN RICHARD ALEC
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