Golf Greens Diseases

The commonest diseases for the majority of greens will typically be Fusarium (Microdochium) patch, Red thread and Anthracnose. Watch out for Fusarium patch in particular as this can be the most serious and destructive disease of golf greens, which can attack and then spread over a short period of time. Surface moisture control, lower levels of nitrogen and certainly no applied nitrogen when natural growth is slow, reducing plant stress by easing heights of cut, routine aeration and scarification to manage thatch and soil air exchange, and combined with verticutting to redu

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  Golf Greens Fertiliser Application

Fertiliser application will be minimal for most golf greens if a firm surface is to be produced with the desirable grasses of red fescue and browntop bents. Do not worry about creating a lush green coloured sward as this will result in a slow game, an increase in undesirable annual meadow which will further increase thatch depth and reduce the quality of the playing surface. A fertiliser based on a traditional 8:0:0, or similar, is an ideal starting point. The quantity of nutrient inputs to different green constructions can vary significantly. The highest quantities of Nitrogen are required

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  Golf Greens Grass Species

For a fine surface, with lower fertiliser and irrigation inputs then a traditional red fescue (Chewings Fescue and Slender Creeping Red Fescue) and browntop bentgrass surface is desirable. In practice, a gradual increase in annual meadow grass is routinely seen. This is the result of a range of interactions, especially: • incorrect irrigation practices. • over application of fertilisers. • incorrect nutrient inputs from fertilisers, especially over application of phosphate. • fertiliser applications being undertaken at times of the year which encourage exces

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  Golf Greens Hole Changing

Hole changing frequency will vary depending on the time of year, the amount of usage taking place, the size of the greens and the available pin locations, but a typical frequency might be daily during major tournaments, 3 or 4 occasions per week during the summer and 2 or 3 occasions during the winter, taking an average of 10 minutes per green as a guide. Changing golf holes regularly and positioning the pin in appropriate locations to both spread wear and vary the degree of challenge for golfers is an important maintenance activity. When the weather is poor and throughout much of the wint

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  Golf Greens Irrigation

Irrigation can be easily overapplied and is a major contributory factor in the gradual deterioration of golf greens, creating ‘target golf’, which does not provide the challenge which can be gained from well managed golf greens. The finer desirable grasses will manage well on low amounts of water, but this must be supported by a good depth of root growth and other correct maintenance practices, including not mowing too short, otherwise the sward will suffer. Irrigation management is a much-underused resource (primarily because it is over applied) in the drive to maintain dry and firm, good

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  Golf Greens Leaf Removal

Leaf removal during the autumn fall will be required on many courses. Even if trees are not in the immediate vicinity of a green, leaves can readily be blown onto the green. Regular, daily sweeping, especially during October, November and the early part of December, will typically be required where this is a problem on some greens. Removed leaves can be put to good use by including them within a compost heap.

  Golf Greens Moss

Moss is can also be a troublesome weed on some golf greens, especially as autumn arrives, and will usually be present to some degree. The aim is to create conditions which are less desirable for its development and to increase the competitiveness of the desirable grass species to reduce its potential for encroachment. Periodic applications of sulphate of iron during autumn to late winter or early spring, for example, in October, November/December and February, combined with good working practices throughout the year of not cutting the green too short, keeping the surface well aerated,

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  Golf Greens Mowing Clippings

Clippings will invariably be boxed off, especially at times of annual meadow grass seed head production, producing a cleaner surface on which to putt – few golfers would want small clippings of grass leaves attaching to the golf ball influencing the roll and planned destination, i.e. into the cup. However, during prolonged dry periods letting clippings occasionally fly can help to produce the grass crown and to reduce moisture loss during those heat stressed times. The quantity of grass removed per cut per green should not be excessive otherwise the weight of the grass in the collection box

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  Golf Greens Mowing Consistency of Performance

Does every green on a course have to be of the same speed? Variability, within reasonable parameters, adds interest, enjoyment and challenge for a golfer. The greens on a course will typically have varying environmental conditions in which they grow, their own micro-climate, with some being in more shade than others, some will be in wind exposed situations, whilst others will be in cold or frost pockets. Amended maintenance practices to best meet the needs of the grasses in these situations will help to reduce plant stress and encourage the development of a healthy sward. A good example is

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  Golf Greens Mowing Direction

A uniform, correctly green creates a well finished product, assuming all other factors such as sward density, colour (although this element is quite subjective), blemishes, grass species content, surface evenness and more are also up to standard. Greens might be mown in bands using triple mowers to narrower stripes using pedestrian mowers. Double cutting a green at 90° will also produce a hashed or chess board effect. A double cut can present a visual feast for some, but it also improves sward quality and playing performance, assuming the correct height of cut is chosen for the time of

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