2012 RYDER CUP - NIB's (i.e. Negligible Influence Bunkers)

During the Ryder Cup broadcasts a few weeks ago, there was ample mention of the "mown rough or lack of rough”. Repeatedly, commentators referred to the short rough.  Apparently (according to the announcers) this is a revolutionary concept!   Why such a big stink about mown roughs? It certainly wasn't radically innovative.  Perhaps it was a revelation for the Tour – which commonly features the trademark “fairway narrowing and deep rough”.

It is sad this maintenance practice provoked such a commotion.  It’s a revealing indication of professional golf’s apparent inability to embrace change, diversity and variety.  Did the short rough really alter play that much?  Why was the "closely mown rough" such a big deal? 

A sampling of Medinah's greens....

*For me, the more compelling story was the manner in which the sand bunkers were prepared and maintained for the Ryder Cup.  The bunker sand appeared packed and exceptionally smooth.  The sand was maintained to a standard of absolute irrelevance - tactical deprivation!  During the 3 days of golf, there was not one interesting predicament, one memorable shot or even one significant incident involving a sand bunker.  Confused about the "NIB", I checked Google Earth and found the Ryder Cup course – Medinah #3 - has 47 greenside bunkers, or an average of 2.6 bunkers per green! That's impressive!!  But, these bunkers were simply ignored, lacking any tactical influence whatsoever.

The greenside bunkering is impressive on this Tom Bendelow designed golf course. As these images reveal, the greens are rife with cunningly handsome hazards. 

Medinah's greenside bunkers don’t appear to be fortuitous “window dressing” either.  The bunkers present as formidable sentries, defending the greens.  So, it is unfortunate they did not feature in the strategy of the golf course - and influence play - during the Ryder Cup.  

Tactical deprivation through excessive maintenance.

It's become an epidemic.

Another sampling of Medinah's greens

The greenside bunkers at Medinah should make a significant tactical contibution to the golf course (not simply an aesthetic statement).  It would have been nice if the sand bunkers were actually allowed to influence play during the Ryder Cup. 

Just my opinion….

*(Disclaimer:  I must state openly that I have not played Medinah. So, you will understand the above comments are not based on my experience playing the golf course.)