Cactus Bunkers in Texas

[Gblambert]

My sons and I are building a new disc golf course in the Texas Hill Country and we've found that we have LOTS of cactus and LOTS of rocks on every hole. When we first started clearing the fairways we removed all of the loose rocks and dug up all of the cactus patches. Then we started on a couple of new holes and noticed there was a cactus patch on the front right corner of one green, just as you might see a sand trap guarding a green in ball golf. On another hole there's a long, narrow cactus patch lining the outside edge of a dogleg fairway, like a ball golf course might use a fairway bunker to penalize a shot that doesn't make the turn at the dogleg. So for these two holes I moved the rocks into a circle around the cactus patches and then filled them with gravel.

This saved me a lot of time removing cactus and rocks, but before I make any more I wanted to see if this is a good solution or not. I haven't played a lot of disc golf and haven't played many courses, so I'm wondering if there are other cactus bunkers out there, and if so, what do the players think about them and how hard are they to maintain over time?

What I like about them:

• Saves me a lot of work and spares some cactus patches, which are beautiful in the spring when they bloom
• The rocks in front lean forward to catch rollers while the rocks in back are upright to prevent them from rolling out
• Throwing while standing in the gravel is more difficult because of loose footing and nearby cactus
• The bunkers could affect player's drives because they're not visible from the tee but will be displayed on the map for the hole

What I don't like about them:

• The needles could hurt someone if they're not careful
• The gravel is expensive. The patch in the picture cost me $125.

The picture below is of the cactus bunker guarding a green. It also includes a couple of mesquite trees which, like cactus, have lots of thorns.

 

[Curtis_Valk]

I like it! But I'm from Texas so what do I know? You might try to find some surplus railroad gravel for cheap (from them decommissioning railways), but that is a long shot.

If this is a private course, have at it. But if it is going to be public, you might consider hiring a consultant who knows DG course design.

P.S. I LOVE the Hill Country!

 

[goosefraba1]

I like it... very aesthetically pleasing. Not sure if the whole course has to have it... but it certainly makes a nice centerpiece.

 

[Jimb]

I've had thorns in the East punch all of the way through a disc. Are the cactus "thorns" stout enough to put a hole in a disc? Just wondering. That would be another reason to stay out of the bunker... or to remove the cactus altogether depending on how "in play" they are. Just a thought. And it does look nice.

 

[Gblambert]

I've had thorns in the East punch all of the way through a disc. Are the cactus "thorns" stout enough to put a hole in a disc? Just wondering. That would be another reason to stay out of the bunker... or to remove the cactus altogether depending on how "in play" they are. Just a thought. And it does look nice.

I've thrown discs into my share of cactus patches and I saw a cactus needle penetrate a disc once, so it is possible. My guess though is that it's more likely that a thorn from one of the mesquite trees would pierce a disc than a cactus needle.

 

[GT Chris]

I've never seen a cactus bunker like that before. It looks wonderful, and I would love to encounter something like that on a course.

As has been pointed out though, keep an eye out for the cactus or mesquite perforating discs. If that turns out to happen regularly then I'll change my vote. Although in that case it seems like removing just the mesquite would do the trick, I've been playing in and around Austin for two years and haven't yet seen a cactus put a hole through a disc.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

I love the "if you can't fix it, feature it" approach. I've seen thorny bushes near greens - don't see this as being any different, just looks a bit nicer/cleaner.

 

[Cgkdisc]

How do you play it if your disc lands in the bunker?

 

[Gblambert]

I'm not sure what is typical for a bunker, but I was thinking if you could play it from within the bunker where the disc lands, then no penalty other than an awkward lie and a difficult throw. If the disc lands in the middle of a cactus patch though where you can't stand to make a throw, then the player would throw from behind the bunker and take a stroke penalty. Or is this too complicated?

 

[Bultx1215]

Dang, that looks like its down the road from me. :thmbup: Same exact country. The pokey plants just give you even more incentive to keep it on the fairway.

The key to buying small rock like that is buying in bulk and from the point of origin. Saves a ton from markup due to all the handling that happens when it gets taken and stored at sellers. What kind of rock is it and where did it come from? Maybe I can point you in a better direction. Moving rock is one of the many things I do. Save you some change if I can.

 

[Gblambert]

Dang, that looks like its down the road from me. :thmbup: Same exact country. The pokey plants just give you even more incentive to keep it on the fairway.

The key to buying small rock like that is buying in bulk and from the point of origin. Saves a ton from markup due to all the handling that happens when it gets taken and stored at sellers. What kind of rock is it and where did it come from? Maybe I can point you in a better direction. Moving rock is one of the many things I do. Save you some change if I can.

The gravel I've been using is a small chipped rock that I purchased, along with some muilch, from a local company in San Marcos. I would prefer something larger, like a 3/4 inch washed rock, but that's even more expensive. I'm always looking to save money, so if you know where I can get a better deal I would sure appreciate it.

 

[DavidSauls]

I'm not sure what is typical for a bunker, but I was thinking if you could play it from within the bunker where the disc lands, then no penalty other than an awkward lie and a difficult throw. If the disc lands in the middle of a cactus patch though where you can't stand to make a throw, then the player would throw from behind the bunker and take a stroke penalty. Or is this too complicated?

I'd make it a casual relief area, allowing more than 5 meters relief---so that any throw coming to rest in it, takes relief behind it, with no penalty.

I don't think the bad footing of the gravel is particularly effective, especially close to the basket. It's not worth the effort or expense, except as a decoration.

 

[Cgkdisc]

It could either be an OB area with penalty or a buncr where you are required to take line of play relief to the edge of the buncr but no penalty. I wouldn't allow players to play from it both for safety and to protect the cactus.

 

[Steve West]

I'd make it a casual relief area, allowing more than 5 meters relief---so that any throw coming to rest in it, takes relief behind it, with no penalty.

I don't think the bad footing of the gravel is particularly effective, especially close to the basket. It's not worth the effort or expense, except as a decoration.

2nd.

But, you need to say what happens if someone doesn't follow the rules. So, "Special Condition: It is a stance violation to take a stance with any supporting point in the bunker."

 

[Jukeshoe]

Either played as an OB (which is probably how I'd set it up if it were my land/course) or as a sort of bolf sandtrap, I like the concept. Always cool to see people saving a bit of nature and incorporating into the course design.

Definitely keep us updated on how these turn out long term!

 

[Cgkdisc]

Not sure if this bunker is visible from the tee, but in general, I would prefer that hazards like this not be blind so players can not only see your landscaping work but have the chance to see how to avoid throwing into it.

 

[Bultx1215]

The gravel I've been using is a small chipped rock that I purchased, along with some muilch, from a local company in San Marcos. I would prefer something larger, like a 3/4 inch washed rock, but that's even more expensive. I'm always looking to save money, so if you know where I can get a better deal I would sure appreciate it.

And there it is....:thmbup: In actuality, the smaller the rock, the more expensive it is to produce. In some cases, it gets screened 3-6x whereas the larger rock gets a single screening or a double and a wash and that's it. These second and third tier sellers always jack up the price too much. They use the higher small rock price with a large markup as a base and add percentages as the sizes go up. Makes sense to those that never buy from the pits, so they never question it because larger costs more, right? Not in this case.

G, you are in my area of operation. I'll send you my contact info and either I or someone I know can and will get you a better deal. :thmbup:

 

[Gblambert]

Not sure if this bunker is visible from the tee, but in general, I would prefer that hazards like this not be blind so players can not only see your landscaping work but have the chance to see how to avoid throwing into it.

The bunker can be seen from the white tee but not the blue. It will be shown on the hole diagram though, and the bunker is off to the side of the green so there's plenty of fairway to land on if the shot doesn't make it to the green.

 

[Gblambert]

And there it is....:thmbup: In actuality, the smaller the rock, the more expensive it is to produce. In some cases, it gets screened 3-6x whereas the larger rock gets a single screening or a double and a wash and that's it. These second and third tier sellers always jack up the price too much. They use the higher small rock price with a large markup as a base and add percentages as the sizes go up. Makes sense to those that never buy from the pits, so they never question it because larger costs more, right? Not in this case.

G, you are in my area of operation. I'll send you my contact info and either I or someone I know can and will get you a better deal. :thmbup:

Sweet! Thank you!

 

[ATXdg11]

Looks great! Love the look with the circle of rocks. dont wanna get caught up in the cacti though. there is alot of that in TX. Keep up the good work and let us know when it is complete. Im excited to come play it. Will it be free or a fee?