Method and material for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers

Abstract

A method and material for preventing erosion and maintaining playability of golf course sand bunkers. A geotextile liner is formed of two water-permeable layers. A first non-woven layer of randomly-aligned, synthetic fibers is configured and adapted to maintain sand in place within a sand bunker. A second backing layer formed of spunbond synthetic fiber is impervious to sand and configured and adapted to prevent downward migration of sand through the liner, while also preventing the upward migration of weeds, rocks and other contaminants that hinder the playability of the sand bunker. The backing layer also permits seams between adjacent sections of the liner to be joined by staples that penetrate the second layer but do not penetrate the native soil. Sections of the liner are laid within an unfilled sand bunker, and cut to fit the contours of the bunker as necessary. The liner is anchored to the bunker base using a plurality of sod staples, and seams between adjacent sections of the liner are joined using staples that are not sod staples and are configured and adapted to penetrate the backing layer of the liner but not penetrate soil. The staples used to join the seams between adjacent sections of the liner may be installed using a hand-held, pneumatic stapler.