Golf Blog: Greens Expectations

Golf Blog: Greens Expectations

After starting work as a greenkeeper, I was amazed to learn about the amount of turf maintenance and money needed to provide a consistently well-presented golf course.

There are some golf courses that have up to 27 greenkeepers, and most golf clubs have machinery that costs more to buy new than a BMW.

Back when I was merely just a golfer, I was always first to start the discussion about the condition of the course, and more than willing to push my own views that the set up of the course could of been better. I think everyone's favourite comment is the greens affected their putting.

But not many golfers understand the problems and maintenance required to ensure pure roll on the greens, so I've decided to share some useful information I have learnt.

One of the main problems with the greens can be that of thatch. Excessive thatch can cause increased diseases and dry spots on the green.

To try and decrease the amount of thatch in the greens several processes are carried out; for example, scarifying, hollow coring and top dressing are frequently used.

This does disturb the condition of the green but it is a necessary.

As well as this, the height at which the greens are cut varies with weather.

If there is a dry spell then the height of the cut is raised to ensure that the grass is not burnt off and there is reduced stress on the grass.

However, with the greenkeepers trying to protect the greens and grass, they receive a lot of complaints about the disruption.

I believe that although the disturbance to the greens can be frustrating, and make putting at times a bit more difficult, more golfers need to understand and appreciate the work that is done to ensure high quality standards of greens in the long run.

That the actions carried out by the greenkeeping staff is with the golf courses best interests in mind.