The initial findings of the Great British Bunker Study, a report produced by bunker experts EcoBunker Ltd with the support of BIGGA, has identified significant opportunities for golf clubs to reduce bunker maintenance costs while increasing golfer satisfaction.

The study set out to identify the most common bunker challenges faced by golf courses across the UK. EcoBunker audited 32 courses, evaluating bunker management, maintenance efficiency, and design quality.

The initial results, which can be accessed in full at www.ecobunker.co.uk identify eight common themes faced by clubs, with corresponding recommendations that clubs can follow to improve general practice.

Some key findings were:

• Over 90% of participants ranked sand contamination as a major concern.
• 93% of all bunkers did not have a bunker liner.
• Annual maintenance cost of bunkers on an average course is £43k.
• 9% of all bunkers were identified as superfluous to gameplay or strategy.
• Where bunkers offered a strategic challenge, golfer satisfaction increased.

“The regular feedback we receive from our members tells us that the maintenance of bunkers is a significant area of concern and so we were eager to engage with our long-established supporters at EcoBunker Ltd to facilitate the Great British Bunker Study,” commented Karl Hansell, Head of Communications & Content at BIGGA. “Our thanks go to the greenkeeping teams that took part as the results provide a fascinating insight from the perspective of golfers, greenkeeping staff and golf clubs.”

Richard Allen, study lead and founder of EcoBunker Ltd, added: “The initial findings of the study have provided a fantastic insight into the bunkering challenges faced by golf courses. We’re very grateful to clubs for allowing us access to their courses and maintenance practices for the study. We’re excited to see common themes develop in these initial results and to be able to highlight solutions that save costs and improve the experience of golfers. I’m delighted with the first stage and look forward to reporting in further depth. We are continuing to offer clubs the opportunity for further bunker audits and are booking in more audits for the coming months.”

Hansell concluded: “In analysing the feedback, Richard and the EcoBunker team have identified the most common challenges that clubs and greenkeepers face when maintaining bunkers, as well as laying out a pathway to improving the efficient allocation of maintenance resources. BIGGA is proud to have partnered with EcoBunker on this important study and we hope that the wider golf industry benefits from the expert insight on offer.”

Further analysis of the individual bunker audits will be completed in the coming months, followed by a final report on the findings of the Great British Bunker Study.

For more information and to access a full copy of the initial findings, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk/great-british-bunker-study-initial-findings/