Greenkeepers. A golfers friend or not

[jamielaing]

Greenkeepers get a lot of stick, I think at my place more than most due to the conditions of the greens. It has however come to light that our committee of office workers disagree with the greenkeepers and have overridden their advice. Really we have to give them a fighting chance surely!

 

[Dando]

Only just started playing regularly since taking retirement so don't know if this is normally acceptable or not.
Now play three times a week.
Anyway - We normally book our tee times for about 7:20 am and nearly every time we have to wait while the first hole's green is mowed (Par 3)
I think the course is actually very well maintained but you'd think they could get the first greens done prior to early tee off times.
This morning there was actually a back log of three groups waiting for the green to clear.

I am partial to an early start, in fact my last 5 rounds have I have been on the first tee at 5am and more often than not I have seen the GK's out and about doing their jobs and I have no issue waiting for them to do what they are paid to do to make my game more enjoyable!

 

[Paul77]

I've never complained about placement of pins in my life. I just accept that fairies move them overnight and it's best not to moan about these things. I'm more interested in cut of greens and fairways. Our grasscutter is broken at the moment so we have daisies everywhere. Make sit hard to find you're ball on the fairway so for now I'm just hitting it in the rough

 

[shortstuff]

I was once told that any green-keeper worth their weight should be too busy to play as well. Ours is the guy who sets the pin positions and then wins the club championship every year. What a surprise! Moreover, he and the rest of them finish work at lunchtime and everyone wonders why the course is never quite in prime condition....Rant over.

 

[Face breaker]

Out of interest and a genuine question - what guidelines do you use when setting up the course and pin positions? I read the R&A guidelines about pin positions and have to say ours regularly contravene their advice.

No less than 6' from the edges of the green, set at regulation depth, to be placed in as clean a spot as possible whilst avoiding severe slopes (2 tier greens, you wouldn't put it on the slope) but other than that it's all fair game !...:thup:

 

[Face breaker]

I am partial to an early start, in fact my last 5 rounds have I have been on the first tee at 5am and more often than not I have seen the GK's out and about doing their jobs and I have no issue waiting for them to do what they are paid to do to make my game more enjoyable!

Thankyou very much kind sir, I have no doubt they'll be most appreciative of your understanding !...:thup:

 

[Face breaker]

Greenkeepers get a lot of stick, I think at my place more than most due to the conditions of the greens. It has however come to light that our committee of office workers disagree with the greenkeepers and have overridden their advice. Really we have to give them a fighting chance surely!

Its the same story all over my friend, the committee's are the ones who make the decisions (financially or otherwise) but then leave the "GK's" to take the flack over it !...

 

[AmandaJR]

No less than 6' from the edges of the green, set at regulation depth, to be placed in as clean a spot as possible whilst avoiding severe slopes (2 tier greens, you wouldn't put it on the slope) but other than that it's all fair game !...:thup:

Just for interest this is from the R&A site:

There must be enough putting green surface between the hole and the front and the sides of the green to accommodate the required shot. For example, if the hole requires a long iron or wood shot to the green, the hole should be positioned deeper in the green and farther from its sides than would be the case if the hole requires a short pitch shot.

In any case, it is recommended that generally the hole be positioned at least four paces from any edge of the green. If a bunker is close to the edge, or if the ground slopes away from the edge, the distance should be greater, especially if the shot is more than a pitch.

Consideration should be given to allowing fair opportunity for recovery after a reasonably good shot that just misses the green. On the other hand, the penalty for failure is something the player must take into account in deciding whether or not to attack a particular hole position. Much will depend upon the standard of the players.

An area of two to three feet around the hole should be as level as possible. Effort should be made to ensure that holes are not positioned within three paces of a very severe slope or ridge or of a recently used hole. If the design of the green dictates that the hole be positioned on a slope, the hole should be cut vertically, not with the slope. A player putting from above the hole should be able to stop the ball near the hole.

Consider the condition of nearby turf, especially taking care to avoid old hole plugs which have not completely healed.

There should be a balanced selection of hole positions for the entire course with respect to left, right, central, front and back positions. For example, beware too many positions on one side or the other of the green with a resulting premium on drawn or faded shots.

 

[Region3]

We had a pin position a month or so ago that was 18" from the start of a slope that takes the ball off the green to the right.

Hit the middle of the green, and if your putt goes a couple of feet past the hole it carries on another 7-8' to the fringe.

I didn't think that was very fair, but didn't hear loads of complaints about it.

 

[Rooter]

I think the greenskeepers at my home club are great, always time for a chat, course is in fantastic conditions, greens are amazing and we get a monthly update by email from the head GK with whats going on, plans on changes, maintenance etc etc. Very impressed with my lot and the course is always set up well!

 

[Face breaker]

We had a pin position a month or so ago that was 18" from the start of a slope that takes the ball off the green to the right.

Hit the middle of the green, and if your putt goes a couple of feet past the hole it carries on another 7-8' to the fringe.

I didn't think that was very fair, but didn't hear loads of complaints about it.

Hmmm bit of a dodgy position admittedly but sometimes it can't be avoided and I think any serious golfer would would the challenge !...:thup:

 

[dewsweeper]

I think the greenskeepers at my home club are great, always time for a chat, course is in fantastic conditions, greens are amazing and we get a monthly update by email from the head GK with whats going on, plans on changes, maintenance etc etc. Very impressed with my lot and the course is always set up well!

I can echo this at my club.
Been a member since 1982 and seen 3 GK of varying skill levels.
Our present GK has only been here for 2 months.
He has really brought in great attention to detail especially on and around the greens.Much more hand mowing which has dramatically improved aprons and approaches.
His staff of 5 have in some cases been here 25 plus years and from talking to them on the course like being involved in the new methods.
Best of times at my club and it is great.
Dewsweeper

 

[delc]

Some green keepers seem to be straight out of 'Caddie Shack'. A bad night and you get some ridiculous pin placements, 2 feet from the edge of the green or halfway down the steepest possible slope. Also good at driving across the fairway just as you are ready to take your shot!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Only just started playing regularly since taking retirement so don't know if this is normally acceptable or not.
Now play three times a week.
Anyway - We normally book our tee times for about 7:20 am and nearly every time we have to wait while the first hole's green is mowed (Par 3)
I think the course is actually very well maintained but you'd think they could get the first greens done prior to early tee off times.
This morning there was actually a back log of three groups waiting for the green to clear.

Well I was just trying to figure out exactly what time you'd like your keepers to get up in the mornings so they can get the greens cut just for your somewhat early T-time, is there a particular reason that you feel the need to jump outta bed at the crack of dawn and rush off to the course at such a time after all you are by your own admission "retired" and therefore no longer need to squeeze a round in before needing to be at work by 9am !...:thup:

Surely if the course is open, and the tee can be booked for 7.20am, then it should be ready to go? (the first at least). If the first won't be done till 8am, then the course shouldn't be open till 8... (it shouldn't matter if he is retired or not, the course is open to everyone!)