Junior
Tour Winner
What's peoples thoughts on this . . . It's been recently published in the greenkeeping press re current winter conditions. Are you in the, balls to it, we should be on a full course all year camp ? or, should course managers protect your course in Winter ? If its the latter, dont be complaining in the next few weeks 
The Big Thaw
Patience is key
Winter golf and especially golf courses in the winter, have evolved over the
last 20 years. Turf quality in the close season has improved immeasurably, as
has the clothing which allows us to play in the most inclement weather. We
are therefore playing a lot more golf, throughout the winter months, than we
have ever done before. Expectations have also increased and whilst most
people will tolerate a slight drop in turf quality and green speed, they
still expect the courses they play to be in decent condition.
For this reason we must be tolerant when the snow begins to melt and/or the
frozen grounds begins to thaw. This is when serious and long term damage can
be done. More often than not, when the thaw is underway, the days can be mild
and the sun can be shining. The snow has disappeared from the golfers gardens
and this is where the problems often start. I know from experience that
General Managers/Secretaries start to come under pressure from members to
open the course and it can also be difficult to continually turn away
important revenue, especially when the course looks not just playable but
tempting from the clubhouse. However patience is vital and we must all
respect the judgement of the Course Manager and here is why....
Without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, the thaw starts from the top.
The frost can often penetrate the ground many inches down. When the snow
starts to melt, apart from natural run off, the water has nowhere to run. In
cannot permeate through the ground as it would normally as it is sat on a
number of inches of frost. Even if there has not been any snow, the ground
only freezes because of it's moisture content. Therefore when the ground
starts to thaw, the water just sits on the top, saturating the surfaces.
Walking on such surfaces alone can be very damaging and the damage done can
take months to repair. However, the real damage at this time is root break,
especially on the fine turf areas such as the greens and tees. When the
surface is soft and below is frozen, walking on the turf will break the roots
and likely kill the plant. Multiply this with hundreds of footprints over a
relatively small area and without exaggerating you can devastate your greens.
Once again speaking from experience, this can take until well into to June to
fully repair and all of a sudden you regret caving in to the desires of the
golfers. Certainly there is not a golfer I know, who would still push to play
once they are armed with the consequences of their actions.
So even if the weather is mild, your garden is clear and the course is
looking very inviting, please try to respect the decision made by your Course
Manager. Even if you think he is being over cautious, a few lost days of golf
now can help prevent poor greens for months to come.
Chris Lomas is the Secretary of Worplesdon Golf Club. For 11 years prior to
that he was Course Manager of The Berkshire Golf Club and prior to that was
Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Swinley Forest Golf Club.
The Big Thaw
Patience is key
Winter golf and especially golf courses in the winter, have evolved over the
last 20 years. Turf quality in the close season has improved immeasurably, as
has the clothing which allows us to play in the most inclement weather. We
are therefore playing a lot more golf, throughout the winter months, than we
have ever done before. Expectations have also increased and whilst most
people will tolerate a slight drop in turf quality and green speed, they
still expect the courses they play to be in decent condition.
For this reason we must be tolerant when the snow begins to melt and/or the
frozen grounds begins to thaw. This is when serious and long term damage can
be done. More often than not, when the thaw is underway, the days can be mild
and the sun can be shining. The snow has disappeared from the golfers gardens
and this is where the problems often start. I know from experience that
General Managers/Secretaries start to come under pressure from members to
open the course and it can also be difficult to continually turn away
important revenue, especially when the course looks not just playable but
tempting from the clubhouse. However patience is vital and we must all
respect the judgement of the Course Manager and here is why....
Without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, the thaw starts from the top.
The frost can often penetrate the ground many inches down. When the snow
starts to melt, apart from natural run off, the water has nowhere to run. In
cannot permeate through the ground as it would normally as it is sat on a
number of inches of frost. Even if there has not been any snow, the ground
only freezes because of it's moisture content. Therefore when the ground
starts to thaw, the water just sits on the top, saturating the surfaces.
Walking on such surfaces alone can be very damaging and the damage done can
take months to repair. However, the real damage at this time is root break,
especially on the fine turf areas such as the greens and tees. When the
surface is soft and below is frozen, walking on the turf will break the roots
and likely kill the plant. Multiply this with hundreds of footprints over a
relatively small area and without exaggerating you can devastate your greens.
Once again speaking from experience, this can take until well into to June to
fully repair and all of a sudden you regret caving in to the desires of the
golfers. Certainly there is not a golfer I know, who would still push to play
once they are armed with the consequences of their actions.
So even if the weather is mild, your garden is clear and the course is
looking very inviting, please try to respect the decision made by your Course
Manager. Even if you think he is being over cautious, a few lost days of golf
now can help prevent poor greens for months to come.
Chris Lomas is the Secretary of Worplesdon Golf Club. For 11 years prior to
that he was Course Manager of The Berkshire Golf Club and prior to that was
Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Swinley Forest Golf Club.
