The best type of mower to produce golf course quality turf in your home lawn is a reel mower. A reel mower uses a reel and a bedknife to cut the blades of grass like a pair of scissors, unlike a rotary mower which typically has a single blade with a sharpened edge spinning at high velocity that doesn’t cut as cleanly.
How do they cut the grass on a golf course?
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 do golf courses make the grass look so good?
It’s no secret that golf courses use special equipment, techniques, and strategies to make the grass look amazing, writes Mike Erbe of HamptonGolf. One of my local courses, Palencia Club, one of the premier St Augustine golf courses, built a state-of-the-art maintenance facility exclusively for course maintenancce.
Is it true that you can cut grass too low?
The above title statement about grass cutting height is not true. Rather, repeated mowing below the minimum mowing height for your grass species can actually damage or kill your grass. In fact, mowing too low is one of the most common mistakes people make.
Can I cut the grass above the Crown?
A person can remove the grass blades above the crown through mowing and can even cut some roots below and the crown will replace them. However, if the crown is cut, the grass may be slow to recover or can be permanently damaged. The crown height affects the mowing height of the grass. Below are some important points concerning mowing height:
How do they cut the grass on a golf course?
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 often do golf courses cut their grass?
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 mowers do golf courses use?
GolfGreens Mowers.Fairway Mowers.Rough Mowers.Trim and Surrounds Mowers.Fraise Mowers.Utility Vehicles.Outcross.Sprayers.More items...
How do they cut fairways?
The most common fairway mowing methods are striping, contour mowing, the classic cut, and pushing and pulling. Striping – This is the method practiced by most golf courses. Stripes are often mowed in at least two directions to create a checkerboard pattern. This method creates a striking aesthetic appearance.
How do they keep golf courses green?
Golf greens need plenty of sunflight and good airflow. When constructing the green, a bulldozer creates a 12-inch to 16-inch (30 to 40 cm) deep hole the size of the green. In the most advanced systems, this hole is completely lined with plastic, and then gravel, drainage pipes and sand are added.
How fast does golf grass grow back?
"Research has shown that a repaired ball mark recovers weeks faster than an unrepaired one," said Cory Adams, the superintendent of Golf Village at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, which comprises 27 holes. "It takes 48 hours to recover if a ball mark is repaired properly. If not, it takes weeks to recover."
How much does a golf course mower cost?
A walking greens mower will run about $10,000 while a riding greens mower will cost roughly $40,000. A mower for fairways costs about $70,000! You may be surprised to hear that mowers used to cut putting greens are used nearly every day during the growing season and are adjusted every time they are used!
How many mowers does a golf course have?
According to the United States Golf Association, at least 8-10 walking greens mowers are recommended for 18-hole facilities. Advanced mowers are recommended for larger operations.
What kind of mower is used for golf greens?
reel mowerRather than the more familiar rotary-style lawn mower, a specialized type of reel mower is required to cut turf at low, putting green heights. A reel mower creates a scissor-like action where turfgrass leaves are clipped by the crossing of two cutting edges—the reel blades and bedknife.
How often should fairways be mowed?
two to four times per weekDuring the growing season, greens are mowed five to seven days per week, fairways are often mowed two to four times per week and roughs one or two times per week.
What is golf course maintenance?
Golf Course Maintenance Personnel Duties include but not limited to: lawn care maintenance, fertilizing, watering, weeding, irrigation maintenance, tree pruning, spring/fall cleanups, golf course maintenance, basic equipment…
How do you use a green lawn mower?
10:5117:18Reel Mowing the Home Putting Green - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEspecially these true cuts have these big gnarly wheels on them and you'll tear up the green so youMoreEspecially these true cuts have these big gnarly wheels on them and you'll tear up the green so you want to go past the green lift up your blade. Go past the green and then turn.
How much grass does it take to slow down the green speed?
Accordingly, if during the day the grass grows as much as 0.1”, that slows the green speed down. Typically, at the end of the day, a gre
What is the name of the grass in putting greens?
You're right. It is shorter. Putting greens are made of special grass. It's called "Bentgrass."
Why is long grass harder to mowing?
The dew on short grass dries quicker so the grass suffes more from lack of water (the soil it grows in heats up faster too, compounding the problem), but long grass is harder on your mowing machine and may hide unwanted weeds. Somewhere in between is the happy medium that's suitable for you.
How fast does a golf green roll off a stimpmeter?
Expensive golf courses mow greens in the early morning to as low as 0.1”, which usually corresponds to a green speed of about 10.5’ to 11’ in terms of how far a golf ball rolls off a Stimpmeter.
How long is a golf round?
During a 4.5 hour round of 18 holes, played between 9 am and 1:30 pm, the freshly mowed green at first speeds up a little as the rising heat of the sun and morning wind dries out the night’s moisture. In the middle of the afternoon, even though the grass has been growing, the drying of the green usually wins out and the green speed might increase by as much as 0.5’ by 1–2 pm.
How do golf courses make money?
Let’s start with golf first. One of the areas where money comes in is through greens fees and cart rental. The average green fee is $36 for public courses. Where I live it is $60–75. Carts are $18 per person. The next area courses make a small profit in is food and beverage. While a meal price in the dining area is under $10, on the course a single beer is $3. That adds up to $18 for a six pack I can buy at the store for $4.50. There are also private golf lessons, clinics, and tournaments. Other areas include catering, weddings and receptions, special dining events, and business office space rental.
Where do you dump grass clippings?
At the golf course I work at, the grass clippings are dumped off to the side away from the green after we finish mowing greens. Sometimes it’s just deep in the rough, or we find a stand of trees and dump the clippings there. When we push mow, much like mowing your own lawn at home, we collect those clippings in the back of our cart and have a specific dump site for waste and otherwise excess material.
How do golf courses cut grass?
Golf courses use advanced mowing technology with machines that use reels to cut the grass. Think of a pair of scissors that cleanly cut the grass using a reel and bedknife.
What is the process of removing dead grass from the lawn?
Dethatch and aerate. Often overlooked and vitally important are two key steps to excellent lawn care: dethatching and aerating. Dethatching is the process of removing dead grass from the turf. Aerating is the process of puncturing the turf, allowing the soil to loosen and oxygen to penetrate further down into the root zone.
What happens if your lawn mower blade is dull?
If the edge of that blade is dull, it will tear through the grass and rip it apart instead of cleanly shearing it. It is important to make sure your blades are always sharp, so keep a regular maintenance schedule and have your mower tuned up periodically.
Why doesn't my grass grow?
Grass doesn’t grow particularly well if it doesn’t have enough sun. If parts of your lawn are always shady, you may have noticed that the grass is a little thinner. If you have many trees that are blocking the sun, consider trimming them back if at all possible.
Why water your grass infrequently?
By watering “deeply” and infrequently, you are actually training your grass to search deeply for hydration. This causes the roots to extend deeply into the soil, making your grass more resistant to drought-like conditions or high temperatures.
What is the key to having a course quality lawn?
The key to having a course-quality lawn is a basic understanding of the fundamentals of lawn care. Each lawn is unique, so it’s important that you understand your particular lawn. Let’s dive in...
Is it bad to water your lawn too often?
A common mistake that people make when trying to improve their lawn is to water too frequently. Yes, plenty of water is important to the successful growth of your grass, but it can also lead to shallow rooting.
What is a good cut on golf course turfgrass?
A quality cut on golf course turfgrass is a top priority for any superintendent— and being able to readily adjust mowing practices according to conditions is the key to quality control. Superintendents should select mowers that will produce a top-quality cut on the areas of the golf course where they will be used.
What are the factors that affect golf course mowing?
External conditions such as disease, drought and heat also affect golf course mowing practices. Many properties in various parts of the country struggled with a prolonged heat wave last summer, and maintenance crews had to adjust their mowing practices accordingly.
What are the features of a lawn mower?
When evaluating mowers, superintendents rely on a number of features to help them select the best equipment. They include: 1 Price 2 Size and speed of the mower 3 Maneuverability 4 Durability 5 Design 6 Ease of operation 7 Ability to maintain the mowers 8 Size and type of terrain to be mowed
How tall is Bermuda grass?
To reduce the stress on the turf, the maintenance staff changed the cut height from .105 inches to .135 inches, and skipped mowing on some days entirely.
What is mowing in golf?
Mowing is the primary input in golf course maintenance, and the growth rate of the grass is a product of the environment . Consequently, superintendents must always be prepared to adjust their mowing practices according to prevailing conditions. Mother Nature had even more to say than usual about turf conditions at many golf courses nationwide in ...
How often does Glen Echo golf course top dressing?
At Glen Echo, a fine amount of top dressing is applied on a weekly basis, but the crew went six weeks without top dressing in the summer. The golf course also undergoes core sprig aerification in the spring, and deep solid-tine aerification in the fall. The maintenance crew gives the greens a hydrojet application in the summer.
Why use smooth rollers on greens?
The tight cut of the grooved rollers creates more issues for the greens, Wachter notes, but he hopes the use of the smooth rollers will make the surface more consistent and improve the overall health of the turf.
Why are specific grasses used on putting greens?
Specific grasses were tested and used on putting greens due to their characteristics and suitability for growing at shorter heights. Moving forward there are many factors that contribute to putting greens maintenance.
How to keep golf greens short?
As we have learned, there are a wide variety of factors impacting how golf course superintendents are able to keep golf greens grass so short.#N#It starts with the construction of the green itself, the selection of the proper grass variety for the climate, appropriate maintenance and watering techniques, and hiring qualified mowers who can operate precision machinery for the right outcome.#N#The result is a smooth surface every golfer can love.#N#Perhaps you are interested in a job as a greenskeeper.#N#With a golf management degree from the College of Golf you can get started on a path to career you’ll love. Contact us today .
What was the putting green in the 1800s?
Up until the middle 1800s, putting greens were simply grass that was shorter due to sheep grazing there longer. Lawnmowers had not been invented yet. Greens were not specially built nor were they planted with specific grasses. They were selected because the spot was the right distance from the tee box, and the ground offered a natural shape that provided a reasonable surface for putting.#N#That all changed with the invention of the lawnmower. Then greenskeepers began to shape the putting green distinct from the surrounding area. They were contoured and graded in order to provide different challenges depending on where the hole was. Specific grasses were tested and used on putting greens due to their characteristics and suitability for growing at shorter heights.#N#Moving forward there are many factors that contribute to putting greens maintenance.
How to build a hydroponic green?
Today, science has advanced considerably in the construction of greens.#N#A modern green is really a large hydroponic system.#N#Construction starts with digging a hole the size of the green between 12 and 16 inches deep. #N#This hole is lined with a layer of plastic and then covered with gravel.#N#Drainage channels and sand are added.#N#Specialists then contour the surface to ensure rainwater runs off quickly and evenly, leaving no puddles behind.#N#All of this must be built in an area with lots of sunlight and free flow of air.#N#Once in the right grass seed is selected, the green needs lots of water and nutrients.#N#These days, greens keepers also use:#N#-Fungicides that keep diseases from overtaking the grass.#N#-Pesticides to prevent damage from invading insects.#N#-A number of different herbicides to kill weeds.#N#After the green has flourished, maintenance is key.#N#The green must be mowed every day with a special mower.#N#Workers must water and fertilize it constantly, adding the right mix of the above chemicals and aerating it on a regular basis.
Why do we use different grass varieties?
The soil of each of the 18 different greens on a course varied widely in their quality. Some could hold water well, and others had much more soil than others. Some drained well while others did not.
What is a golf course mower?
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.
Can you put artificial turf on putting greens?
With today’s modern artificial surfaces, wouldn’t it be easier to install artificial turf on golf greens and avoid all of the problems surrounding grass varieties, fungicides, insecticides and other aspects of putting greens maintenance. It’s an interesting proposition, but artificial surfaces are still fairly expensive.
What grass is used in golf courses?
Golf course greens use a species of grass that can be maintained at extremely low cutting heights. In the southern states, Tifdwarf Bermudagrass is often used. Northern states and many southern states use creeping bentgrass. These grasses are designed to be maintained at extremely low heights.
How tall should I cut fescue grass?
However, they shouldn’t be maintained at that level. Standard grass cutting height is 3 inches. I personally maintain my fescue lawn at 3.5 inches year around. Taller cut grass can survive heat and dry periods much better than low cut grass. This is partly due to the connection between mowing height and root depth.
How to determine mowing height?
Below are some important points concerning mowing height: 1 What Determines Mowing Height: The correct mowing height is based on the structure of a grass species and not so much on personal preference. Each grass species has a minimum cutting height. Cutting below the minimum cutting height for your grass type will only weaken the grass and allow for weed invasion. 2 Blade Length and Photosynthesis: It is important that you mow your grass to maintain sufficient blade length to continue photosynthesis. Photosynthesis takes part in the green blades. Photosynthesis is what produces the carbohydrates required for plant life. In fact, carbohydrates, not fertilizer, is the food source all plant life. Fertilizer provides nutrients needed for plant function and the production of carbohydrates. 3 Mowing Height and Root Depth: There is a direct link between blade length and root depth. The taller the grass blades are maintained, the deeper the roots go into the ground. If you routinely set your cutting height at a low setting, your grass roots will also be much shorter. Your grass cutting height is very important. There are exceptions, for example, centipede grass and others can suffer if maintained too high.
What determines the correct height for mowing?
What Determines Mowing Height: The correct mowing height is based on the structure of a grass species and not so much on personal preference. Each grass species has a minimum cutting height. Cutting below the minimum cutting height for your grass type will only weaken the grass and allow for weed invasion.
Why is it important to mow grass?
Blade Length and Photosynthesis: It is important that you mow your grass to maintain sufficient blade length to continue photosynthesis. Photosynthesis takes part in the green blades. Photosynthesis is what produces the carbohydrates required for plant life. In fact, carbohydrates, not fertilizer, is the food source all plant life.
What is the science of grass?
The science of grass form and structure is called "grass morphology". The center of grass life takes place in the "Crown". The grass crown grows at ground level and is whitish in color. Grass blades extend upward from the crown and roots extend below ground. A person can remove the grass blades above the crown through mowing ...
What are the backbones of soil?
Microorganisms are the backbone of soil life. To increase the microbe populations we can simply add more via a commercial product or homemade tea, right? Not Necessarily! Find the truth about soil microbes and how they multiply.
What is the difference between golf course maintenance and lawn maintenance?
The third difference between golf course maintenance and lawn maintenance is watering. Most golf courses have automatic sprinkler systems, but what you may not know is that the best superintendents don’t just have their sprinkler systems on a set timer.
How tall is a golf fairway?
The average height of a fairway is .75″. The average lawn mowing height is 2.5″ to 3″ which means that they have to mow a golf course much more often. This actually helps the grass. Cutting grass more often, makes the grass grow thicker, which helps to choke out weeds, and believe it or not, grass actually likes to be cut.
Do you need to aerate a golf course?
People are constantly driving golf carts over them and they receive a lot of foot traffic too. Most lawns don’t need to be aerated monthly because they aren’t subject to a lot of traffic, but once a year is always beneficial to the grass.
What is golf course grass?
Golf course grass is commonly known as turf grass, and the grass types used differ from region to region by their ability to withstand both cold and heat. Turf grass differs from the regular lawn grass you may find in homes. Although some grasses used in home lawns can be used in golf courses.
What type of grass is used in golf courses?
1. Bermuda Grass for Golf Course. It is befitting to mention this turf grass type first as it one of the most popular grasses used in golf courses. Bermuda is a warm-season grass and, as such, is used majorly in warm areas that typically reach temperatures unconducive for several kinds of grass.
Why does turf grass need to be tall?
Here are the reasons why. Turf grasses need to withstand the cold or heat prevalent in the region: one of the major characteristics your turf grass needs to have is to withstand the prevalent temperature in that region. Be it cold or heat. It needs to stand still tall when this temperature hits.
What is fescue grass?
Fescue grass is a cool-season grass that can withstand colder temperatures and some degree of heat. This makes it an attractive golf course grass for moderate regions experiencing both worlds. Fescue grass can also be used on fairways and has a good feel and look to it.
What is the best grass for golf?
5. Zoysia Grass for Golf Course. Zoysia is a native Asian grass but has been in the US for more than a century and has become a popular golf course grass in that time. It is a warm-season grass best suited to warmer climes. This is a creeping heat and drought tolerant grass that will save you a lot on irrigation.
Why is fescue placed in unmowed areas of the golf course?
Fescue is also placed in unmowed areas of the golf course because of its ability to grow quickly.
Where is bentgrass grown?
Bentgrass is more commonly grown on fairways on golf courses. It can withstand heavy traffic because it grows thick.
Selected with Care
Proper Mechanics
- The selection of mowing equipment is not the only key to achieving a quality cut, however. The people who maintain and operate the machinery are vital to the process as well—and of these, no one is more critical than the mechanic. “He’s my key employee, and he would be the hardest to replace,” Patton says. “He can do things I can’t do.” Kepple agrees. “A great mechanic will take y…
Extremes Are No Game
- External conditions such as disease, drought and heat also affect golf course mowing practices. Many properties in various parts of the country struggled with a prolonged heat wave last summer, and maintenance crews had to adjust their mowing practices accordingly. “We live with the weather the same way a farmer lives with it,” explains Patton. Last year’s heat did not affect t…
Added Inputs
- At Forest Creek GC, the staff rolls greens after aerification to smooth out the turf, and the crew rolls or double-cuts greens in preparation for tournaments or other special events. However, notes Patton, the crew can double-cut greens faster than it can roll the greens, because the property has a fleet of 20 walking greens mowers but only two rol...