You can use the same sand for both but they are not the same. Topdressing sand is designed more for the purpose of topdressing turf and the gradation is composed of medium sized particles. The same sand is not optimal for bunkers as it can become unstable and lead to fried egg lies or buried balls (low penetrometer readings). However, your bunker sand should not contain particles that if hit onto the green cause damage (large particles). Bunker sand is designed with more uniform gradation and angular particle shapes.
White sand has traditionally been the emphasis of some premier golf course. However, around the country and world that has not been the case. Locally sourced sands can come in a variety of colors that may offer a more natural look or less glare. River Sand, Inc. supplies bunker sands to golf courses in brilliant white to the darkest brown color.
Bunker sand ranges in cost significantly. Trucking costs from the mine also impact the cost per ton. However, you can expect to pay on average $12 to $30 per ton plus trucking costs which are generally $10 or more per ton depending on the distance. Some specialty bunker sands cost much more.
The USGA has recommendations and guidelines for selecting the best bunker sand. These guidelines outline important characteristics of bunker sand including: Particle size; Particle shape and penetrometer value; Crusting potential; Chemical reaction (pH) and hardness; Infiltration rate; Color; and Overall playing quality. Overall, a bunker sand should have most of the particles between 0.25 and 1 mm, a high penetrometer value, good infiltration rate, angular or sub-angular shape, and low tendency to crust. This type of sand makes the ball remain in the bunker while not burying in the sand but also allows the bunkers to drain rainfall and remain playable.
Bunker sand is simply the sand used in bunkers or traps on a golf course. Bunker sand is often held to the standard look of Georgia’s own golf course in Augusta. However, having a brilliant white color isn’t the most important characteristic of a bunker sand. The size and distribution of the particles along with the shape of the particles is what makes a great bunker sand. Often people ask for bunker sand knowing that it should be white in color but bunker sand may not be the best sand for other applications. RSI supplies bunker sand that is brilliant white, off-white, and even dark brown bunker sand.
Of course firmness matters but the problem with this is that in addition to looking good on the links, bunker sand needs to have certain tangible characteristics to be properly functional.
One of the main concerns about bunker sand is irrigation. Will it flood after a heavy rainfall or will the bunker properly drain? Generally this issue is taken care of by installing a drainage system underneath the bunker and choosing the correct grain size sand. For instance, bunker sand that’s composed of more than 3% clay or silt is more likely to ‘pond’ after a rain shower. Choosing something like this in a heavy rainfall climate is unwise and will likely lead to much more upkeep and difficultly for the staff.
Similarly, if you choose a brand of bunker sand that is too coarse, this could be problematic also. Oftentimes, bunker sand is sprayed onto the green after a shot. Expensive mowers can be ruined attempting to mow over sand that has more than 7% coarse grain. This also reduces the quality of the putting green.
After deciding which type of bunker sand you’d like to use, like any good experiment, test it. Go ahead and renovate two or three of the main bunkers on your course. After a certain period of time, get the players feedback. Also, check for proper drainage and make sure that the sand isn’t ‘crusting’ or forming a thin, hard shell on the surface.
As long as you do your homework, maintain the drainage system underneath the bunker and purchase the correct sand with the correct grain size then your sand bunkers should be in top form. There are a variety of golf sand applications to choose from that comply with USGA standards. Maintaining bunkers can be difficult work if the sand is chosen based on subjective criteria. To reduce the amount of upkeep and stress on the staff, be diligent in choosing the proper sand for the proper climate to keep your course as pristine as possible.
Golf bunker sand has to be the perfect size to provide the stability and cushion golf courses need.
Golf course maintenance is a challenging enterprise for even the most experienced superintendent. In addition to maintaining the height of the grass blades and condition of the tees, there is also the state of the bunker to consider. It may not seem like a huge undertaking to the untrained eye, but make no mistake, there is much planning involved in creating and maintaining the perfect sand trap. One of the issues to be carefully considered is the particle size of the bunker sand itself.
Bunker sand has two purposes
The main goals of a properly constructed bunker is the sand’s ability to cushion the ball and foot traffic stability. The point of the bunker is that it’s a penalty, adding difficulty to the game. So, when the ball lands there, it should neither bounce out or be buried so deep that it’s impossible to play.
At the same time, the one who aims to get the ball out of the bunker needs stable footing to do so. Sand that is too hard or too soft will cause not only problems for the lie of the ball but also for the golfer attempting to play on.
Particle size makes all the difference
The particle size of the sand will take care of both of these issues simultaneously. After rigorous testing, it’s been found that the best performing sands for bunker play are angular rather than round and contain a very small amount of clay, silt and very fine sand particles. All of these issues affect the lie of the ball and will contribute either positively or negatively to the impact of a golf ball.
Poorly sized bunker sand is damaging
There are several reasons why it’s necessary to be selective about bunker sand. For starters, if the particles are too small, like in a mixture with too much silt or clay, then the bunker has the potential to “set-up” or crust over too often, creating an undesirable playing surface. Similarly, because golfers tend to spray sand when attempting a shot out of the bunker, large particles can compromise the integrity of the putting green, and damage mowers and make greens unpredictable.
Mid-sized sand is best
A good standard is to choose the sand that’s in the middle range particle size. Any extreme has the potential to cause problems. Steer clear of mixtures that are too fine or too coarse, too angular or too round. You want to look for bunker sand that’s appropriate for your climate as well. For instance, it may be necessary to use quick draining sand in wet climates.
We’ll help you choose the right sand for your course
Choosing the correct particle size for your bunker is an important consideration when designing or redesigning a golf course. By picking the right type you can ensure an active bunker that requires little maintenance, happy golfers, and healthy greens. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about our bunker sand applications and what grain type is ideal for your course.
