Greenkeepers Q and A

[clubchamp98]

Is there such a thing as ‘annual’ greens maintenance? Do clubs just do it once? I would have thought that doing some maintenance on a more regular basis would help the greens more, and possibly be less intrusive.

The annual maintenance schedule is not what it used to be .
It’s very weather dependent now.
But there are some basics that need doing ! Ie coring .

The best time for coring is July/ August as the greens recover better and quicker.
But most golfers complain if it’s done then.
But the grass needs to be growing so clubs pick their moments to do this ,

Lots of clubs now only core the greens once then frack the ground with an Air2G2 to help compactation later on.

 

[sunshine]

The best time for coring is July/ August as the greens recover better and quicker.
But most golfers complain if it’s done then.
But the grass needs to be growing so clubs pick their moments to do this ,

My club does this at the start of August. I understand the frustration from some members as the greens are in peak condition in July. But it makes sense to do it at this point because most people go on holiday during August and don't play as much. The greens have recovered at the start of September and they are then great for autumn.

 

[Neilds]

Just re-read our club update email from last week and we are having work done on our greens this week. Solid tine, along with a verti-drain treatment, followed by a top dressing of sand. Front 9 today, back 9 tomorrow.

 

[GreiginFife]

My club does this at the start of August. I understand the frustration from some members as the greens are in peak condition in July. But it makes sense to do it at this point because most people go on holiday during August and don't play as much. The greens have recovered at the start of September and they are then great for autumn.

I think people also often forget that the course is busiest during the summer and that causes more and more compaction of the soil. Big risk to keep holding off and holding off just so people don't get annoyed. (again, most likely the same people that would be the first to sound off if the greens started dying off or getting patchy).

 

[PaulMdj]

I think people also often forget that the course is busiest during the summer and that causes more and more compaction of the soil. Big risk to keep holding off and holding off just so people don't get annoyed. (again, most likely the same people that would be the first to sound off if the greens started dying off or getting patchy).

Our Greenkeeper switched a few years back, he use to try leaving it till mid to late Sept, but was caght out by the weather and couldn’t fit in in until early Nov.

We now “write off” a week at the end of Aug to almost guarantee he can do the work.