“Instead of a half-pound once a month on the greens, they’ll apply a tenth of a pound once a week. Light, frequent applications are what’s known as spoon-feeding.” The turf must have what it needs to remain healthy and grow.
Should I fertilize my golf course in the fall?
Mild fall weather means more golfers, and they expect robust turf until winter consigns their golf clubs to the garage until spring. In cases like that, if the budget permits, superintendents may opt for a late application of quick release fertilizer applications to keep the turf green for as long as possible.
Is fall the best time of year to feed turfgrass?
As superintendents in most parts of the U.S. are well aware, fall is the time when turfgrasses hopefully build up the carbohydrate food reserves to keep them healthy and help fight off cold-weather diseases such as snow mold throughout the winter months.
Why do golf courses use liquid fertilizer?
The reason for liquid fertilizer use is the heightened expectations of putting surfaces, the area of a golf course that receives special focus regarding fertility programs. “They’re spoon-feeding,” Gross says about superintendents. “Instead of a half-pound once a month on the greens, they’ll apply a tenth of a pound once a week.
Is turfgrass good for golf courses?
Though vegetation varies throughout the United States, green is synonymous with golf. Giving plants what they need to stay healthy and lush isn’t easy, and when it comes to turfgrass on golf courses, there’s a thin line to walk.
How do trees affect golf course maintenance?
Why do golf courses need renovations?
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How often do golf courses fertilize greens?
On the TifEagle greens, Brousseau uses a granular fertilizer two or three times a year. After the granular applications, he sprays the greens to maintain a constant, manageable growth. “Generally, we use a granular when we're going into our aerification program,” he says.
How often do you fertilize a golf course?
Fertilize four to six times a year, ideally in early spring, late spring, late summer and the fall, before it snows — and use a spreader to make sure it's evenly distributed.
How do golf courses keep their grass so nice?
Golf courses use aerators to create small holes in their fairways, so water, air and nutrients can reach down to the grass roots. This helps the grass grow deeper roots and it also creates an opening to help it break through to the topsoil.
How often do golf courses mow their greens?
On average, greens are mowed at least five days per week, and in most cases six or seven days per week. Courses that choose to mow five or six days per week will take advantage of a closed Monday or Tuesday to skip mowing and focus more on agronomic programs like topdressing or aeration.
What do golf courses use to fertilize?
What is Golf Course Fertilizer? Fertilizers of various mixes and combinations are readily available in the market, but the three primary nutrients these fertilizers depend on are Phosphorus, potassium, and Nitrogen.
What type of fertilizer do they use on golf courses?
Golf Course Fertilizer is thought to be special; however, it has the same NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) that most low-cost plant fertilizers contain. In reality, there is nothing special about golf course fertilizer.
How often do golf courses spray?
Quent Baria, superintendent at Towson Golf & Country Club in Phoenix, Md., gets put to the test every summer by the effects of heat and humidity. “We get into periods here where I will spray my tees and greens every seven to 10 days and the fairways every two weeks,” he says.
How do golf courses keep weeds out?
Golf courses also adhere to a regular schedule of applying pre-emergent herbicides as well as weed killers and fertilizer. The key behind pre-emergent herbicides is weed prevention. Of course there are no “magic bullets” that keep all weeds out for the entire growing season.
How do golf courses get grass so short?
To keep the grass so short on greens, special mowers are used. Golf course mowers are reel mowers, not rotary like most lawn mowers used at home. The reel spins and cuts the grass like a tight scissor cut. The cut height is set by adjusting the difference between the front and rear rollers.
How fast does golf course grass grow back?
Greens typically need to be mown at least once every three days. Without that regular tending, they become overgrown. Getting them back up to speed is tough. Sometimes it's impossible, and the entire putting surface has to be reseeded, and you're looking at least two months before they're ready for play again.
Should golf greens be cut everyday?
Greens should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of three times per week. Dew removal should be considered on non-mowing days as required to prevent disease spread. Tees and green surrounds should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of once per week.
How do they maintain golf greens?
Proper mowing includes daily mowing, daily changing of mowing patterns, mowing at the correct height, precise adjustment of mowers, daily cleaning and sharpening of mowers, training of mower operators and visual inspection of results. Mowing is the single most important practice in greens maintenance.
How do you maintain golf greens?
Regardless of other practices, proper mowing, is required for good putting greens. Proper mowing includes daily mowing, daily changing of mowing patterns, mowing at the correct height, precise adjustment of mowers, daily cleaning and sharpening of mowers, training of mower operators and visual inspection of results.
What kind of grass is on putting greens?
Grasses are specifically selected for use on putting greens. Bermudagrass, creeping bentgrass and Poa annua are the most commonly managed turfgrasses on putting greens in the United States. A putting green can have more than 10,000 individual plants per square foot.
How do you use Golfgreen fertilizer?
0:223:34How to Choose Golfgreen Lawn Fertilizer (2 Steps) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApplications every four to six weeks from spring to fall applied via a hand spreader or rotaryMoreApplications every four to six weeks from spring to fall applied via a hand spreader or rotary spreader. Should be enough to keep your grass. Healthy.
When is Your Golf Course Ready for a Renovation?
Your course’s renovation clock is running. It’s not a matter of if, but when. To the untrained eye, nothing looked out of place in 2018 at Reynolds Lake Oconee’s Great Waters, a lakeside stunner designed in 1992 by Jack Nicklaus.Beauty can fade, however.
GOLF COURSE ITEMS EXPECTED LIFE CYCLE
GOLF COURSE ITEMS EXPECTED LIFE CYCLE ASGCA thanks those at the USGA Green Section, Golf Course Builders Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and various
Equipment life cycles - Golf Course Industry
Equipment life cycles. The mowing season ended with 2,407 hours on my Jacobsen Eclipse 322 gas hybrid greens mower. This is nearly midway through the traditional 5,000-hour life of small engines, like the air-cooled 14-hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard V-Twin.
What are the nutrients needed for turfgrass?
Among the 16 or so nutrients needed by plants like turfgrass, the most important three are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK). Secondary elements such as calcium, sulfur and magnesium, as well as other trace elements, are needed for specific circumstances depending on climate and soil.
How often does Brousseau fertilize tifeagle greens?
On the TifEagle greens, Brousseau uses a granular fertilizer two or three times a year. After the granular applications, he sprays the greens to maintain a constant, manageable growth. “Generally, we use a granular when we’re going into our aerification program,” he says.
Why use liquid fertilizer?
The reason for liquid fertilizer use is the heightened expectations of putting surfaces, the area of a golf course that receives special focus regarding fertility programs. “They’re spoon-feeding,” Gross says about superintendents. “Instead of a half-pound once ...
How often does Corcoran evaluate his fertility program?
Corcoran evaluates his fertility program every year and tweaks it a bit. His base program stays the same every year, but there are always new products or technology or formulations that he might want to try.
What is spoon feeding?
Light, frequent applications are what’s known as spoon-feeding.”. The turf must have what it needs to remain healthy and grow. “You don’t want spikes in growth because that slows down greens and creates more clippings,” Gross says. “Spoon-feeding lets you maintain steady growth.
Is green grass good for golf?
Though vegetation varies throughout the United States, green is synonymous with golf. Giving plants what they need to stay healthy and lush isn’t easy, and when it comes to turfgrass on golf courses, there’s a thin line to walk.
How to conserve water in golf greens?
Although golfers do expect great looking greens, there are still ways to reduce your water usage. This can include investing in quality aerators , which can help the grass’ roots grow solidly and strongly. Using mulch selectively and planting turf grass can also help water from evaporating or disappearing into the soil. Plus there are some other benefits of finding ways to introduce more sustainable practices, including lower water bills and community or industry recognition.
What are the challenges of a PGA course?
You might not have the resources or the scale of full-fledged PGA course, but you may have some of the same challenges, including short- and long-term upkeep, labor, budgets, and even challenges with water. So it’s always interesting to compare notes on what challenges others courses experience, what solutions they try and then guessing what could work for you.
Is it good to maintain a golf course?
Overall, good golf course maintenance never seems to slow down, and there’s always fixes to be made. But it can be satisfying knowing you’ve been able to provide optimal conditions for players to have a great experience. TurfTime is always eager to help course personnel improve what they do, whether it’s state-of-the-art equipment or useful advice from assisting courses around the country. Contact us today to get started!
What is the best way to manage turf conditions?
Fertigation, using an irrigation system to deliver fertilizer, wetting agents and other chemical treatments to fairways, tees and greens, has become a more popular and effective way to help manage turf conditions.
How much dirt was moved to Shober's Run?
Show estimates his crews moved only 80,000 to 100,000 cubic yards of dirt during the entire golf course renovation while it moved 70,000 cubic yards of dirt separately in the careful rechanneling of Shober’s Run.
How much does it cost to install a fertigation pump?
The cost of installing fertigation equipment into an existing water pumping station, while not inexpensive, isn’t cost prohibitive for many facilities – somewhere between $10,000 to $15,000. The cost might be recouped within a few years through the decreased use of fertilizer and other chemicals, as well as a reduction in labor.
Can pesticides be used in irrigation?
And while tanks containing pesticides can be tied into an irrigation system, most superintendents shy away from using these chemicals in their irrigation system because of environmental concerns.
Can irrigation be used on golf courses?
Any course with an irrigation system can fertigate. A system’s effectiveness might vary from course to course, depending on topography and climate. In areas that receive high average rainfalls, it might be more of a challenge to monitor the application or fertilizer through an irrigation system because of the possibility of runoff caused by heavy rain. If the topography of a golf course is severe, the benefits of fertigation might be less because fertilizer and other chemicals applied through the irrigation system might accumulate at the bottom of berms and hills.
Features - nutrition
Fall is the most critical time for proper turf nutrition. It sets the stage for how it will overwinter and how it will perform the following season.
Count on one hand
There are five aspects of fall fertilization not to overlook or take for granted, says Dr. Raymond Snyder, director of agronomy for Harrell’s.
What causes turf loss in golf courses?
As reported by Golf Course Industry Magazine, a critical issue faced by golf facilities in 2018 was “turf loss due to pests.” The most common culprits of unsightly turf loss include weeds, insects, and funguses. Albrecht Koppenhofer, a specialist in turfgrass insect pest management in Rutgers’ Department of Entomology, advises golf superintendents to follow a preventative approach to pest management.
What is golf course maintenance?
Golf course maintenance refers to maintenance activities done to keep course resources in good working condition. It includes repairing and replacing club assets, mowing and chemically treating turf, eliminating ball marks, improving playing conditions, and more. Behind the scenes of every clubhouse are workers inspecting irrigation systems, checking the water quality, and maintaining golf carts.
Why do golf courses need periodic chemical treatments?
Performing periodic chemical treatments reduces the likelihood of costly turf scarring caused by pests. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for budgetary constraints to prevent golf course superintendents from implementing ideal turf maintenance. The experts at the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation recommend maximizing maintenance budgets by:
What is the best way to maintain a golf course?
Predictable slope, speed, and putting surfaces are crucial to good golf games. Golf superintendents should assign a staff member to inspect each green with a “ball mark repair tool” to remove all visible marks. This is one of the simplest golf course maintenance activities guaranteed to keep members happy.
Why do people visit golf courses?
Most players visit golf courses to improve their game and have fun. However, they can also contribute to the golf course’s maintenance for the good of all.
Why do maintenance teams have to repair divots?
Maintenance teams must routinely repair them because damaged turf makes players unhappy. Not only are divots ugly, but they can ruin an otherwise good game! The most critical divots to fix are those located in the primary field of play: the tee box, the fairway, and the greens.
Is golf course maintenance complicated?
Golf course maintenance is more complicated than mowing a lawn and turning on the sprinklers at night. In this guide, we’ll review important aspects of golf course maintenance, the chemicals greenskeepers use to treat turf, and the risks of falling behind on preventive maintenance (PM) tasks. We’ll begin by defining golf course maintenance.
When is the best time to feed turf grass?
It’s a long time between the final days of fall and the first sweet kisses of spring sunlight, and we all need lots of sustenance to get us through the darker days of winter. That goes for turfgrass as well. Fall is the time to feed your turf so that it is ready to burst forth with new and strong growth during green-up in early spring.
When is the best time to ward off disease in golf course?
John Kaminski, the director of the Golf Course Turf Management Program at Penn State University, maintains that the most effective way of warding off disease in the spring is to nurture healthy turf through the fall and into the winter.
Why should superintendents test their course's soil?
Gray says superintendents should test their course’s soil to help determine what products will provide the essential nutrients needed for reaching optimum health before entering dormancy. Turf that is fed appropriately entering the winter months almost always come out of dormancy in spring healthier and better prepared to the beginning of the growing season.
What are the factors that affect the efficacy of fertilizer?
There are two factors that influence fertilizer efficacy; temperature and moisture, Gray says. “In the fall it can become difficult to accurately predict what Mother Nature provides,” Gray adds. “The warmer the temperature, the more active microbes are in the soil, which will directly affect how fast many slow-release fertilizers function.” If, for example, methylene urea is applied and the soil temperature drops, the amount of available nitrogen to the plant will be slower than expected. “That’s why quick-release fertilizers, like ammonium sulfate, may be a better product to select when the temperatures quickly drop, which does not require microbial activity to provide available nitrogen.”
When should I fertilize bentgrass?
McHugh says that for bentgrass greens in the Transition Zone October – and possibly November – is the time to fall feed with granular fertilizer, usually at a 1-to-1 nitrogen-to-potassium ratio. Nitrogen release should be somewhere 60 to 70 percent slow release. “Going forward from the granular application, go to foliar-based, nutrition supplying needed micros, amino acids and carbohydrates,” McHugh says. “Use nitrogen based upon weather conditions/yield. If bentgrass goes into semi-dormancy or dormancy and then comes out of dormancy, reload the plant with minors, amino acids and carbohydrates. Repeat this every time the turf breaks dormancy and begins to metabolize, or when you need to mow.”
Do turf managers need to be aware of all weather conditions?
Paul Ramina, corporate agronomist, Northeast, for Floratine Products Group, says turf managers need to be aware of all weather and turf conditions and apply the products accordingly. “’For example, once hard frosts cause the leaf tissue to go dormant, nitrogen applications are not recommended because plant uptake is minimal and applied nitrogen is wasted,” he adds.
Can you skip fertilizer?
Koch Turf and Ornamental agronomist Dr. Eric Miltner says the most logical places on a course to potentially skip fertilization are areas that receive limited traffic. “But before you decide not to fertilize any area, be sure that it is in a state of good nutritional status,” he adds. “And be careful about using the same areas every time to save money on your fertilizer budget. That could come back to bite you eventually.”
How do trees affect golf course maintenance?
The effect of certain course features can also change over time, as is the case with trees and landscape plantings that grow larger every year. Any feature that can double or triple in size over its lifetime is likely to have a substantial impact on a golf course landscape and maintenance operation. Mature trees can significantly impact a golf course maintenance budget, architectural design, playing conditions and turf health. Many problems associated with trees can be avoided by selecting proper planting sites and choosing the right tree species. Unfortunately, many facilities are forced to remove problem trees and landscape plantings that have outgrown their location.
Why do golf courses need renovations?
Golf courses mature and age; even the best ones need periodic renovation to modernize their design features and infrastructure. Having a well-thought-out master plan will help prioritize and implement upgrades in both the short and long term. USGA Agronomists and golf course architects also can help identify and prioritize infrastructure and renovation needs. Renovations can be disruptive and expensive, but a well-planned and successfully completed project can make a golf course more enjoyable to play and sometimes less expensive to maintain.
How do trees affect golf course maintenance?
The effect of certain course features can also change over time, as is the case with trees and landscape plantings that grow larger every year. Any feature that can double or triple in size over its lifetime is likely to have a substantial impact on a golf course landscape and maintenance operation. Mature trees can significantly impact a golf course maintenance budget, architectural design, playing conditions and turf health. Many problems associated with trees can be avoided by selecting proper planting sites and choosing the right tree species. Unfortunately, many facilities are forced to remove problem trees and landscape plantings that have outgrown their location.
Why do golf courses need renovations?
Golf courses mature and age; even the best ones need periodic renovation to modernize their design features and infrastructure. Having a well-thought-out master plan will help prioritize and implement upgrades in both the short and long term. USGA Agronomists and golf course architects also can help identify and prioritize infrastructure and renovation needs. Renovations can be disruptive and expensive, but a well-planned and successfully completed project can make a golf course more enjoyable to play and sometimes less expensive to maintain.
