Respect to the Greenkeepers

[Yosser]

I regularly play at off-peak times on our course and quite often the greenkeepers are carrying out maintenance such as cutting fairways and raking bunkers. So you have to play around them or wait for them to signal you through, it can be distracting but I don't mind as I know it is important work and the results are obvious to me. The Greens and fairways are well kept, rough is kept under control and they are constantly working on improving the drainage. Last year whilst many other courses in the area were closed due to the weather, ours was still open on many occasions.

Anyway whilst browsing the website of another local club I came across the following Greenkeepers blog, which I actually quite enjoyed reading! I particularly liked the cutting back of rough to make it "penal, yet enable the golfers to find their balls." and I thought the "tilling up bunkers" a good idea. One of the few weaknesses with our course I believe is the inconsistent bunkers and I'm not sure whether they "till-up" bunkers:-

http://haydockpgc1877.blogspot.co.uk/

They've also referenced this blog which I found quite interesting.

http://gosgcgreenkeeping.blogspot.co.uk/

So what do you think of the Greenkeepers at your course? What do they do well, where could they improve? Do they have a blog you could share with us?

 

[patricks148]

TBH our lot all 18 you hardly ever see on the course doing any work on the course, only flying around in fancy buggies.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Let's just say that, after playing on our greens yesterday I'm glad I'm moving clubs next year.

 

[Robobum]

The blogs and newsletters, twitter, facebook etc are all perfect ways for the greenies to communicate to the punters what they are doing and, more importantly, why.

That way, gossip and whinging can be nipped in the bud.

What some greenies fail to grasp (ours particularly) is that the members pay their wages and, ultimately, if you don't appease them, they will eventually go elsewhere and pay a better greenies wages.

Another great example of keeping members informed is http://www.liphookgolfclub.com/club/course/course_diary/

:thup:

 

[Deleted member 1147]

That's exactly it, keeping people informed will aid acceptance of what has to be done. The course I'm moving to sent out an email about the fact they would be scarifying the greens, with a link to an article about why it's necessary.

We all know it needs doing, but still get annoyed when our putts deviate from the hole, so why not tell us all about it and hopefully reduce the annoyance somewhat.

 

[Foxholer]

Head GK at a previous club used to do a mid-month report for work to be carried in then next 6-7 weeks. Outlined not only what work, but why.

Eliminated a lot of whingeing - and highlighted the 'any excuse' ones.

 

[bladeplayer]

Our guys are brilliant , if the club gad enough money id say they would have it immaculate .. consistency of sand in bunkers ids my only quibble , stay out of bunkers is a better idea ha ha

 

[Wilson]

We have a paragraph on the members section of our website each day outlining what they will be doing for that day, we also have any major works noted in the events diary.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We had a new head greenkeeper about 18 months ago. He has done wonders getting the greens back after the previous guy lost them completely and they were infested with silver tip moss and other varieties. He has a three year plan to get them back and he is doing a great job.

Its not just the greens. He has worked hard (with his staff who also deserve praise) to get the little things right. He has the rough about right and it can be a half shot if it sits down. There is a few areas of real deep stuff but if you go in it it's been a crap shot and you deserve the punishment. He was doing regular updates via the members section on the website but hasn't for a while. He was featured in the Greenkeepers monthly trade publication about this time last year which was a good read

 

[daymond]

11 out of 10 for our keepers. They keep the course in great condition.

 

[macca64]

head keeper retired last year, one of the greenkeepers took over and doing a fantastic job,

 

[Yosser]

The blogs and newsletters, twitter, facebook etc are all perfect ways for the greenies to communicate to the punters what they are doing and, more importantly, why.

That way, gossip and whinging can be nipped in the bud.

What some greenies fail to grasp (ours particularly) is that the members pay their wages and, ultimately, if you don't appease them, they will eventually go elsewhere and pay a better greenies wages.

Another great example of keeping members informed is http://www.liphookgolfclub.com/club/course/course_diary/

:thup:

That first tee resconstruction project looks like a big job!

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Have just moved club due to the state of the courses.

Have to praise the green keepers at my new track the all aspects of the course are in great condition.

They have aerated the greens recently and you can hardly tell it was done on most of the greens they are recovering very well.