Divots aren't the only types of holes that golf course superintendents have to be mindful of on their greens and fairways. Soil erosion is a real threat as well. And unlike with divots, it's a lot more difficult to repair a hole in your turfgrass that's caused by erosion than it is to repair one caused by a club head.
Though it’s only February, soon the temperatures will start to rise, the days will get longer, and the snow will melt and the landscape will start to green. Yes, it’s hard to believe, but spring is nearly upon us, and this means that before we know it, the phone will be ringing, inquiring about opening information and golfers looking to make the first tee times of the season.
Behind any green, luscious and healthy field of natural grass turf, there's a dedicated management crew that's tasked with maintaining it so it's picture perfect anytime there's a game scheduled. And proper care and maintenance is no easy task in a perfect world, but it can become even more difficult when various intangibles are at play. In this post, we're going to discuss some of the key athletic field care challenges that turf management professionals regularly encounter on natural grass fields.
Nobody wants to play golf on a course that’s brown or patchy with grass. And while some turfgrass care tips are obvious (i.e., watering and fertilizing), there are some other hacks that groundskeepers have picked up along the way. Let’s take a closer look at some of the turfgrass tips you need to know—from the basics to some other pointers you may not have heard of.
As the winter weather rolls in and all of us that reside in colder temps take a break from outdoor turfgrass management, it doesn’t mean it’s the time to get lazy. There is work that can be performed indoors and research that can be done to prepare for the upcoming spring. And when it comes to turfgrass, the work to create ideal turfgrass never stops!
Which turf do you prefer for athletic fields: artificial or natural grass? Though some feel artificial is the winner due to its low maintenance and cost savings, natural grass fields have many winning qualities. Installation costs are low (if at all) and many consider it the safer surface of the two for athletes—which, in the end, should be the number one priority for athletic facility managers (not only to make sure no one gets hurt, but the facility is liable if there’s an injury).
Summer is a busy time for many athletes—it is, after all, the season for watching outdoor sporting events. But it’s also a busy time for turfgrass managers, too! With all the games and practices scheduled on the fields, it’s important to stay on top of the maintenance and maintain the fields properly—especially if your athletic field is made of natural turfgrass. Natural grass fields are definitely more of a challenge than artificial turf—it is not an easy job. To help you maintain your field successfully, here are some tips and things to think about.
It’s all about the turf. That is truly the slogan for the majority of golf course superintendents. We’re constantly caring for it, worrying about it, and trying to better it. Part of that involves selecting and purchasing products to help improve (and in some cases fix) your course’s turfgrass. But product selection is no easy feat. All too often there isn’t objective research available, so supers are left to make buying decisions based on recommendations from colleagues. All too often the proper testing and evaluation reports are not available. The question then becomes will the product be effective for your turf? Before buying large quantities, it’s therefore important to consider your situation and ask yourself a few questions.
With their lush greens and varied plantings, naturally golf courses are an attractant to insects of all kinds. Which is great—Insects do a lot for a golf course. They pollinate the flowering plants, keep troublesome insects in check, and they are important decomposers. Though some are welcome additions to your course for the benefits they bring, others arrive without an invitation, wreaking havoc across your turfgrass, presenting one of the toughest challenges golf course supers face: dealing with pests.
Has your golf course already had your spring opening? Were your players able to get in a few early rounds this month already? The weather this spring has granted some areas a couple of warm days, so courses have been able to offer some early bonus days. But with March ending, regular play across the country is set to begin. Is your course ready? Here are some golf course preparation tips to make sure you're ready to go when golfers come calling.