Sand Trap

Common terminology for a sand bunker or hazard, though 'bunker' is the official rules terminology. Sand traps are strategically placed hazards designed to penalize errant shots while adding visual and strategic elements to hole design. These hazards require specific techniques and club selection for successful recovery, with sand wedges being the most common club choice. Sand trap play involves understanding lies, sand conditions, and proper technique for extracting the ball while minimizing penalty strokes. Mastering sand trap play is essential for consistent scoring and course management.