Tractor Tracks on Green

[NorfolkShaun]

Had one in a Stableford a week ago, we have had sprinkler work being done round the greens recently. One of my pp managed to put his ball into tractor tracks on the green.

What is the ruling if this happens, he played as it lay buy it did seem harsh.

My question is what is the ruling if this happens on or off the green?

None of the tracks were marked gur and if you went back you would have to play over or through the tracks

 

[duncan mackie]

From a rules perspective the committee should get it repaired rather than granting relief...

Q.Is a rut made by a tractor considered a hole made by a greenkeeper and thus ground under repair? If not, should the Committee declare such a rut to be ground under repair?

A.Such a rut is not a hole made by a greenkeeper. The Committee would be justified in declaring a deep rut to be ground under repair, but not a shallow indentation made by greenkeeping equipment.

From your last sentence it may help you to look up the difference in relief from AGC (CW, GUR...) on and off the green.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Do you mean this.....

Im afraid its tough luck, but worth having a moan about it to the powers that be

Been there and it makes putting a total lottery

 

[Foxholer]

Do you mean this.....View attachment 14100

Im afraid its tough luck, but worth having a moan about it to the powers that be

Been there and it makes putting a total lottery

Would you have been happier if the course was closed or you were on a temporary/temporaries?

 

[woody69]

Would you have been happier if the course was closed or you were on a temporary/temporaries?

Doubtful and slightly OTT. But asking the greenkeeper completing the work to be a little more mindful of where they drive wouldn't go amiss. They could mark the tractor damaged area as GUR couldn't they as well instead of closing the whole course

 

[Foxholer]

Doubtful and slightly OTT. But asking the greenkeeper completing the work to be a little more mindful of where they drive wouldn't go amiss. They could mark the tractor damaged area as GUR couldn't they as well instead of closing the whole course

Greenkeepers don't (generally) drive tractors over Greens - except perhaps during the Tining/Top-Dressing process!

Those tread marks are almost certainly from the ride-on mower such as this http://www.toro.com/intl/uk_en/golf/mower/green/ride/index.html If conditions are such that they are making these impressions, then it's likely to be time to close the green(s). Hand-cutting might be an alternative, but takes a huge amount longer.

 

[duncan mackie]

Greenkeepers don't (generally) drive tractors over Greens - except perhaps during the Tining/Top-Dressing process!

right now there is a fair bit of spraying going on; both fungicides (finishing) and leather jackets (starting) and the combined weight of the machinery and liquids together with many saturated greens (high thatch levels after last years high growth rates........).

time based treatments don't go well with these combinations - staff are being forced to either use equipment when they would rather not or fail to treat when they should. Not great choices.

 

[Foxholer]

right now there is a fair bit of spraying going on; both fungicides (finishing) and leather jackets (starting) and the combined weight of the machinery and liquids together with many saturated greens (high thatch levels after last years high growth rates........).

time based treatments don't go well with these combinations - staff are being forced to either use equipment when they would rather not or fail to treat when they should. Not great choices.

Indeed a dilemma! But that's the point at which the decision re course or hole closure (even after damage is found to have happened) should be made!

As i posted, those tracks that PtP were almost certainly made by a mower, not a tractor!

The problem is that many golfers just do not appreciate how much work has to be carried out on the course - demanding the ability to use it whenever 'they' want. And some green-keepers are a bit lazy/clumsy about the way they carry out that work. And when there is very little communication between the 2 groups..... Communication between the 2 groups is the key - something neither group is traditionally good at!

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Do you mean this.....View attachment 14100

Im afraid its tough luck, but worth having a moan about it to the powers that be

Been there and it makes putting a total lottery

These were more of the 'V' style tracks so the indent was quite deep (1/4 of a ball) and he was putting across them. Wish I had taken a photo now.

In fairness most of the damage was caused by digging in sprinkler pipes so right on the edge of the green. Funny in a way all the cuts and dug turf were marked GUR but the tracks were not.

 

[Foxholer]

In fairness most of the damage was caused by digging in sprinkler pipes so right on the edge of the green. Funny in a way all the cuts and dug turf were marked GUR but the tracks were not.

Quite possible Greenie didn't know that he could/should mark them as GUR! Whereas, he'd be pretty confident that the ground he'd just repaired could/should be marked as such!

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Quite possible Greenie didn't know that he could/should mark them as GUR! Whereas, he'd be pretty confident that the ground he'd just repaired could/should be marked as such!

Yes there is every chance of this, to be fair we played this weekend and they have now gone.

I have to say I have a lot of time for our greens keepers, I think the job they do is unreal considering the traffic the courses have through the summer being tied to a hotel.

Just as a summery I guess the answer is tough luck.