Repairing terrible greens

[JonW]

The local course where I’m a member now has truly awful greens. There are big bald patches with no grass on the surface at all, they’re really patchy and bobbly and are (currently) rock hard.

I appreciate that they may have had reduced maintenance during lockdown, but this deterioration has been happening for a long time (I’ve only been a member for 12 months).

I brought them up with the course owner and he blamed the dry weather over lockdown and said that the roots are still good and they’re going to be watered every day this week.

My membership is only £550 per year, but is due up in June and I’m wondering:

A) is there any chance of these being repaired back to a decent level,
B) How long this would take?

 

[KenL]

It can depend on the skill of the greens staff. I have seen a new GK making significant improvement within a few weeks.

 

[BrianM]

As said above, depends how good your green keepers are and how committed they are to getting them in shape.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I have been through this, granted the course didn’t use harsh chemicals but it was closed within a year.

Members just up and left for other clubs as soon as it was clear a road back wasn’t going to be quick.

I really hope this isn’t the case for your club and they do come back quickly.

 

[rulefan]

I reckon many greens will be suffering this spring if they haven't been watered regularly. Some of our fairways are bone hard.

 

[Robster59]

The greens shouldn't be in this condition despite the lockdown unless he's had no staff on at all. During lockdown our course did minimal work under BIGGA guidelines but the greens and fairways should be the priority. If you were concerned before the lockdown then it's something that you either need to take up with him again or consider the options of staying at the course if you think this is going to be an ongoing concern.

 

[JonW]

The course has two green keepers and they’ve been around for a few years. My feeling is that if they’ve let the greens get to this condition, then they can’t be that bothered.

The club also seem to be struggling financially and I think that this is putting a strain on the course and the relationships between the various parties (owner, GK, pro, etc.).

Sadly, it may be time to find a new club. I’ll certainly be moving from paying annually to paying monthly - in case it goes pop!

 

[garyinderry]

Why not have a word with the greenkeepers to see what they say about them.

 

[LincolnShep]

Have you spoken to the committee? I'm at a proprietary club and the owner listens politely to members, then ignores most of the comments; however he is engaged with the committee and works to improve the areas that we ask him about.

 

[Crazyface]

Ours are shocking. Except for one. This was the one that I thought was beyond repair and now is the best one, not that that is saying much it just has grass all over. So they have sorted one during the lock down, I hope they will spend money on the rest. I'm already looking for my next club. LOL

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

The local course where I’m a member now has truly awful greens. There are big bald patches with no grass on the surface at all, they’re really patchy and bobbly and are (currently) rock hard.

I appreciate that they may have had reduced maintenance during lockdown, but this deterioration has been happening for a long time (I’ve only been a member for 12 months).

I brought them up with the course owner and he blamed the dry weather over lockdown and said that the roots are still good and they’re going to be watered every day this week.

My membership is only £550 per year, but is due up in June and I’m wondering:

A) is there any chance of these being repaired back to a decent level,
B) How long this would take?

My question would be "If you can water the greens now why haven't you been watering them during lockdown?"

It's time to leave, clearly this club isn't investing in the course.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

"With courses currently immaculate, well they should be otherwise there will be heads rolling I'm sure, who will be given the opportunity to be first on the tee when the go ahead has been given?
Mr Captain? The committee? The first to get there? We will NEVER be given this opportunity again. The course will be unblemished. No divots, no pitch marks....OMG"

Didn't live up to your expectations then? ?

Did any heads roll ?? ?

amazing!!!

 

[JonW]

Why not have a word with the greenkeepers to see what they say about them.

That’s a good call. There may be some underlying reason why they’re rubbish and it may be reversible. (However, I suspect that it’s just down to very few hoots being given!)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

From what you've said so far then subject to what the greenkeeprs say (I wonder if they were told not to water to save money) then I think it's time to look elsewhere

 

[Deleted member 18588]

The course has two green keepers and they’ve been around for a few years. My feeling is that if they’ve let the greens get to this condition, then they can’t be that bothered.

The club also seem to be struggling financially and I think that this is putting a strain on the course and the relationships between the various parties (owner, GK, pro, etc.).

Sadly, it may be time to find a new club. I’ll certainly be moving from paying annually to paying monthly - in case it goes pop!

Are you saying that your Club has only two greenstaff, even in normal times?

If so, and assuming it is 18 holes, it is hardly surprising that the greens are in a state.

Labour is being spread too thinly.

 

[JonW]

@MetalMickie - Yes, there are only two of them. How many would you expect? (It’s a pretty hilly par 70 (with little sand in the bunkers))

 

[KenL]

Agreed. My club has 7 or 8 and this is a links course that does not have the same grass growth on fairways and semi to cut.

 

[Imurg]

Depends on the overall size of the course and the makeup My last club only had 3.
It took 3 days for one person to cut the rough - quite a large overall site with lots of grass but lots of trees too.
By the time he finished it was time to start again.
That left the other 2 to do tees and greens and any other work.
And they kept it in fabulous condition bearing in mind the poor drainage.
Previous club also only had 3 and the place was often a mess despite being smaller.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

@MetalMickie - Yes, there are only two of them. How many would you expect? (It’s a pretty hilly par 70 (with little sand in the bunkers))

We are a pretty standard members club with a well established parkland course.

During lockdown we have operated with 3 staff working, our normal number is 7.

 

[JonW]

Ouch. The lack of green staff would explain why the greens are in such appalling state then.

I think that the problem is that the course has been going downhill for a few years, meaning that members leave and there’s less money, so the course doesn’t get the financing it needs - a huge downward spiral!

P.S. Does anyone want to buy a golf club - asking for a friend! ?