Bowling Green Rolling

Rolling is an activity that shouldn’t really be needed on a bowling green, especially with the weight of modern cylinder mowers (typically being around 100kg) being ideal in keeping the surface adequately firmed. If there is a need to ‘polish a surface’ ready for a tournament or key match, then the use of a tandem type roller with two or three shallow rollers should be quite adequate. The SISIS tru-level roller, for example, weighs a minimum of 120kg. The benefit obtained from the use of this type of roller should be balanced with the initial cost and then effort involved in its use: in some cases, it will be a benefit, whilst in others a cylinder mower will be just as suitable.

Another possible use for a light roller might be following and after hollow-tining and topdressing to help gently resettle any surface disturbance. Severe frost over a winter might possibly cause some surface disturbance from the actions of freezing and thawing, however, due to the sandy nature of most greens there would be a low probability of a dedicated roller actually being needed, but if some firming is needed then the use of a cylinder mower with blades disengaged can be used to most likely provide the necessary degree of firming. If there has been significant surface disruption then it would be quite reasonable to use a dedicated hand roller of 100-150kg, with a maximum upper limit of 250kg. Wherever possible take a cautious approach and see if a lighter rolling achieves the desired results before increasing to a heavier rolling of no more than 250kg.