how to manage golf course during winter

^{Winter Golf Course Needs}

• Watching the Weather. To maximize the playing season for golfers, courses typically stay open until temperatures get too low or snow covers the greens.
• Minimizing Turf Loss. Courses that are exposed to severe weather each winter typically suffer damage to their greens. ...
• Preemptive Golf Course Pathway Solutions. Golf course pathway materials like asphalt can freeze, crack, and heave during the winter, leaving groundskeepers with extensive maintenance to get through before play can ...
Protecting Equipment. Winter weather can badly damage everything from golf carts to pins to maintenance equipment, so it’s essential for courses to store these materials away from the elements.
Tackling Projects. It can be difficult for golf courses to complete large projects when golfers are playing the course for most of the daylight hours.

What are the best winter golf projects for your course?

Remulching landscape and flower beds is another great winter project. Covering Greens: For courses that annually suffer winter damage to their greens, covering them with straw, tarps, or synthetic covers, and heavy sand topdressings, just to name a few, can be essential to avoid turf loss.

What is involved in winter golf course maintenance?

During the golfing season, golf course maintenance is geared entirely to daily play and special events, leaving little time to do more than make only minor course adjustments and improvements. The following list of activities and projects won't encompass all that can be performed during the winter months, nor is it supposed to do so.

How to play golf in the winter?

The ball will not travel as far during the winter, so don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and club up. If you try to hit the same shots you’d hit during the middle of the summer, you’re in for a long day. Winter golf is a different game, and you should treat it as such. 6. Tee it forward Don’t be afraid to move up a tee box (or two).

How can I prevent turf loss on my golf course?

Covering Greens: For courses that annually suffer winter damage to their greens, covering them with straw, tarps, or synthetic covers, and heavy sand topdressings, just to name a few, can be essential to avoid turf loss.

What do golf course workers do in the winter?

Snow removal. Monitoring the course for ice. Landscape cleanup. Covering putting greens.

How do you keep up with golf in the winter?

10 Ways to Improve your Golf Game this WinterChip and putt at home. ... Hit the gym. ... Take some yoga classes. ... Read golf material. ... Play golf on a simulator. ... Work on your grip wherever possible. ... Practice in the mirror. ... Swing with weighted clubs.More items...

How do golf courses survive winter?

Some courses shift all winter play to temporary greens to protect their putting surfaces, while others use them only when the risk of damage is especially high. Temporary greens may not be popular, but using them can prevent serious issues.

What is the winter rule in golf?

For instance, if a golfer's shot lands in the fairway but stops in a patch of dead grass caused by frost, snow or ice, winter rules allow the player to move his ball to get relief from the conditions anywhere between six inches or a club length, depending on the club's specifications.

How cold is too cold for golf?

There's almost no lower limit. I'd say about 30 degrees. But that's on a mild day. If there's wind or rain that number creeps higher very fast.

Why is winter golf harder?

There's no denying that winter golf can be tough. As the temperature dips, some things are inevitable when playing golf: the course becomes damp, you will need to wear umpteen layers of clothing and your hands will feel like ice blocks.

How do golf courses keep grass green during winter?

topdress their greens with a heavy layer of sand to insulate the crowns against the frigid cold, then spread a woven fabric over the putting surfaces as an added measure of protection. Though no one's expecting you to sand your lawn ahead of winter, tarps aren't a bad idea in especially harsh climates.

How do they keep golf courses green in the winter?

An impermeable cover can be used by itself or with an insulating material to provide further protection from cold temperatures. Typically, impermeable covers are draped over putting green edges, or tucked beneath a layer of sod, to prevent water from flowing under the cover and onto the covered surface.

Why do golf courses cover greens in winter?

There are two main reasons for covering turf during the winter months: The first being to protect turf from cold, dry winter winds, which can desiccate turf, causing injury. The second reason is to prevent the formation of ice on the surface.

Can you clean your ball in the fairway?

A golfer cannot clean their ball in any other situation, including when the ball is in the fairway, when the ball is in the rough, when the ball is in a bunker.

Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?

Local rule for out of bounds, lost ball If a player hits a ball out of bounds or loses a ball, the general rules still require the player to return to the spot of the previous stroke and take a one-stroke penalty - a standard stroke-and-distance scenario.

What are winter tees?

They are ideal when fairway mats are in place on your golf course preventing you from teeing it up with a traditional golf tee. The tees allow you to place on your temporary mat, with different heights to suit all the clubs in your bag.

Is golf harder in cold weather?

This is because cold air is denser than warm air, and creates additional drag on your golf ball. Trackman reported that there was about a one-yard difference for every ten-degree change in temperature. And if you're thinking about warming your golf balls, don't.

Does cold weather affect your golf swing?

AKA, when it's cold, you won't be able to turn as far, or swing as hard, which means your swing speed will drop and you'll hit the ball shorter accordingly. This is especially true early in the round, when you're not warmed up from all the walking and swinging.

Can you play golf through winter?

Winter golf is still golf, which means it can be great. It just requires a bit of savvy and some thoughtful preparation. Here are 7 keys to playing through the cold and ice and snow. If you really want to feel the wind-chill factor, hop onto a golf cart and whip around the course.

When do golf courses reopen?

To maximize the playing season for golfers, courses typically stay open until temperatures get too low or snow covers the greens. They reopen sometime in the spring, when all that snow and ice has melted and the ground has thawed. This requires a number of days with temperatures above freezing, and that can be hard to come by in the Midwest. Because winter weather can be unpredictable, courses must stay closely informed of approaching weather patterns in order to determine when it’s time to close for the season—and when they can safely reopen without risking damage to the grounds.

Why is it important to store golf carts in winter?

Winter weather can badly damage everything from golf carts to pins to maintenance equipment, so it’s essential for courses to store these materials away from the elements. Courses typically also use this time to update or replace older equipment, setting the stage for a better player experience in the springtime.

What to cover greens with in winter?

Courses that are exposed to severe weather each winter typically suffer damage to their greens. Depending on ground exposure, weather patterns, and other course damage, greens may need to be covered with materials like straw, sand, or even tarps to minimize turf loss. They’ll also likely need applications of fungicide to avoid the risk of snow mold diseases.

Can golf courses be in snow?

It can be difficult for golf courses to complete large projects when golfers are playing the course for most of the daylight hours. As such, winter provides an opportunity for courses to take care of more significant projects. That doesn’t mean that groundskeepers will be out in the middle of a snowstorm, but the winter is long here in the Midwest, and the right conditions and an empty course can allow plenty of time to tackle projects or source new materials.

Why are my golf courses wet?

Rainfall, melting snow or thawing soil can leave golf courses soft and wet during winter. Cool temperatures and limited sunlight mean that courses dry much more slowly during winter than they would in other seasons, and frozen soil does not drain well. If traffic is not managed carefully, footsteps and vehicle tires can leave wet playing surfaces rutted and bumpy. A sudden stop or slip may also shear the grass away from its roots, causing damage that will be visible into spring.

Does grass grow in winter?

Throughout the U.S., grass grows more slowly during winter than it does at other times of year, if it’s growing at all. This means that divots and ball marks heal slowly, and concentrated traffic can wear grass down to nothing. To limit the wear and tear caused by winter play, superintendents redirect cart and golfer traffic on a regular basis. Carts are also restricted to paths more frequently. Tee markers may be shifted to locations that aren’t used as often to protect primary teeing areas and prevent concentrations of fairway divots.

Can you overseed grass in the winter?

The grasses used on many south ern golf courses typically go dormant for part of the winter, taking on a pale straw color. While dormant playing surfaces can provide excellent playability, their natural appearance isn’t always popular. Some courses address this issue by overseeding with grasses that continue growing during the winter. Overseeding can create good playing conditions and aesthetics, but it also involves considerable cost and disruption. An increasingly popular alternative is applying turf colorants during the winter to give dormant grass a green color without the costs and turf issues that come with overseeding.

Is it good to play golf in the winter?

While golf courses can take various steps to help us get the most from winter play, such as reducing shade on playing surfaces or improving drainage, nothing changes the fact that less sunlight and cooler temperatures limit how well a course can recover. While winter may be prime golf season for some, in most areas it’s important for us to temper our expectations during winter and enjoy whatever golf the weather allows.

Do putting greens cover in winter?

Protecting putting greens during winter is always a priority. Courses in cold climates may cover their greens until spring to protect them from harsh winter weather. Southern courses with bermudagrass putting greens will only cover their greens during short periods of very cold temperatures, keeping them available for play otherwise. Some courses shift all winter play to temporary greens to protect their putting surfaces, while others use them only when the risk of damage is especially high. Temporary greens may not be popular, but using them can prevent serious issues.

1. Take Care Of Your Turf

Turfgrass management is one of the most important focus areas for any golf course superintendent. Without well-maintained turf you really don’t have much to offer members. Can you remember a winter that didn’t negatively impact your turfgrass management? We didn’t think so.

2. Store Your Equipment Properly

Next on our list of winter golf course management tips is to store equipment properly. Your golf carts, clubs, and turf management equipment can’t survive unprotected throughout the winter. It’s a good idea to invest some economical winter protection for equipment. This includes greenhouses and other structures.

3. Organize Your Winter Projects

There’s no down time in golf, not even in the winter! After golf course management takes care of the greens and equipment, it’s time to take on winter projects. The best golf courses are constantly maintaining their grounds to ensure members have the best experience when they get back on the green.

1. Layer up

Don’t wear a bulky coat out to the course. Instead, insulate your body heat with a series of layers. A vest is one of my favorite layering pieces as it keeps my body warm without restricting my swing. Hoodies are perfect for this, too.

2. Hoof it

I walk about 90 percent of the time I play, but in the winter it’s critical. Walking is an easy way to keep you warm between shots, plus you get your steps in for the day.

3. Warm your hands

Feel is a crucial part of golf, and it all starts in your hands, so you’ve got to keep them warm in the winter. Pack a pair of mittens to wear between shots or slip some hand warmers in your pockets. Whatever your preference, just remember to keep the blood flowing through your extremities.

4. Pack a hat

Make sure to keep your head warm, too. Throw a knit cap in your bag and pull it out when the weather gets really bad. It’s about function over fashion during the winter.

5. Club up

The ball will not travel as far during the winter, so don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and club up. If you try to hit the same shots you’d hit during the middle of the summer, you’re in for a long day. Winter golf is a different game, and you should treat it as such.

6. Tee it forward

Don’t be afraid to move up a tee box (or two). Playing the same tee box that you would during the summer is only going to make things more difficult. If you want to make birdies during the winter, you’re going to need to play a shorter course.

7. Mix it up

Winter golf is a great opportunity to hone your shotmaking ability. The conditions will be tough, so your stock driving-range shots aren’t likely to be effective. Get creative with your shots as you battle the elements. Come spring, your game will be much more well-rounded.

How to check for winter damage on golf course?

Monitoring Course Conditions: In addition to monitoring the golf course regularly, many superintendents frequently perform plug checks to monitor turf health and check for winter damage. This is done by removing soil samples and placing them indoors on window sills where they warm with sunlight. Doing so in advance is a great way to determine if winter turf injury will be an issue, in which case communication and recovery plans can begin.

When is the best time to improve a golf course?

Much like sports, the biggest gains in golf course improvements are achieved in the off-season. Necessary and/or desired course improvements oftentimes demand significant time, labor, and occasionally large equipment, all of which result in varying degrees of course disruption. This being the case, the real gains are achieved when additional man-hours are available and work can be performed most efficiently and without causing undue interference to play. During the golfing season, golf course maintenance is geared entirely to daily play and special events, leaving little time to do more than make only minor course adjustments and improvements.

What is fungicide used for in winter?

Winter Fungicide Applications: In northern climates, various numbers of timely fungicide applications are used for control of pink snow mold, or Microdochium patch (Microdochium nivale), and gray snow mold (Typhula spp.) that frequent most cool-season turfgrasses.

How long does ice cover last on greens?

Monitoring Ice on Greens: If by mid-February or early March continuous ice cover still exists, it may need to be removed or broken to allow gas exchange to avoid turf loss due to lack of oxygen. Although winter injury is poorly understood despite decades of research, the threshold for Poa annua is assumed to be close to about 50 days, whereas creeping bentgrass can tolerate continuous ice cover much longer. Regardless of these guidelines, monitoring of ice is necessary in northern states and, depending on the intensity and duration of the winter, breaking ice to save greens may be required.

What to cover greens with?

Covering Greens: For courses that annually suffer winter damage to their greens, covering them with straw, tarps, or synthetic covers, and heavy sand topdressings, just to name a few, can be essential to avoid turf loss. Many man-hours are required in covering and protecting greens, particularly if covers must be removed or applied several times throughout the winter.

Why is snow removed from greens?

Snow Removal from Greens: Snow is welcome during the winter, insulating the turf from desiccating winter winds and temperature extremes, but sometimes it must be re moved from greens to hasten ice melt, speed surface thawing during the spring, or allow surface melt to be directed off the greens where it cannot accumulate and refreeze. Snow removal from greens is almost always performed manually so as to avoid mechanical damage to green contours.

Why is it important to keep golf equipment clean?

Keeping equipment clean and operating efficiently does not just mean a better conditioned golf course; it also increases equipment longevity and trade-in value. "The value of the maintenance fleet more than justifies preventative maintenance and regular service. Maximizing the investment in equipment is good business sense and important to the viability of the overall golf course operation." 1 Do not forget equipment painting needs as well.

Do greens get softer in winter?

Not only are greens softer during winter but they don’t tend to be cut quite as low, which means they will be a lot slower than they are in the height of summer.

Do you have to carry a trolley in winter?

Many of us prefer to carry our bags during winter for the convenience it brings and how it gets the blood flowing on those cold mornings. But for trolley loyalists, if your course is really wet, a trolley ban will be in place unless you have a pair of winter wheels.