Winter greens and mats
- Thread starter drawboy
- Start date
greensman
Club Champion
Hi drawboy, its an interesting subject and as a long serving greenkeeper I agree…ish.
Firstly, how big are your tees? Can they accommodate the extra winter play? Do you have the resources to build bigger winter areas? Does your club want to advance with tee construction?
Greens, how good is the drainage? How high is the summer expectation compared to the winter? So many questions… but theses are some reasons for temporary greens during frost. In the UK we have different types of frost, some damage the greens more than others
o White Frost, the problem with this frost is that it tends to arrive when the temperature is not that low and the air is moist. The greens are still soft with a heavy white frost. This collects on the spikes, the ice builds and when you walk on the green its like walking in ‘football boots’
o Hard frost, walk on the greens in hard frost and the damage is minimum, however when it starts to defrost the root damage is extensive. This damage can still be seen (by a skilled eye) in the spring.
o Frost then rain, this happened to me several times last year, the ground below was still frozen, and the heavens opened. Because the rainwater couldn’t drain through the frost, the greens flooded.
o Rain then frost, this produces an ice sheet; this will kill the plant as well as being a H&S issue.
I could go on further but I am sure I have bored you enough. But I will add that I feel, and most greenkeepers feel the same, winter golf is massively important. If I ask the members to chough up £1000 to play on temps all winter I think I will struggle.
Many of you will notice that your greens have been heavily aerated recently. This is to prepare them for the forthcoming winter. Aeration – sandy dressing will improve drainage, improve recovery rate by the improved health, the extra air will help them defrost quicker and the stronger roots will help them fight potential problems. So when your greenkeeper destroys the surface for a few weeks this autumn, instead of condemning him… thank him! Wishful thinking I know lol
If you have any more questions I will be glad to answer
Firstly, how big are your tees? Can they accommodate the extra winter play? Do you have the resources to build bigger winter areas? Does your club want to advance with tee construction?
Greens, how good is the drainage? How high is the summer expectation compared to the winter? So many questions… but theses are some reasons for temporary greens during frost. In the UK we have different types of frost, some damage the greens more than others
o White Frost, the problem with this frost is that it tends to arrive when the temperature is not that low and the air is moist. The greens are still soft with a heavy white frost. This collects on the spikes, the ice builds and when you walk on the green its like walking in ‘football boots’
o Hard frost, walk on the greens in hard frost and the damage is minimum, however when it starts to defrost the root damage is extensive. This damage can still be seen (by a skilled eye) in the spring.
o Frost then rain, this happened to me several times last year, the ground below was still frozen, and the heavens opened. Because the rainwater couldn’t drain through the frost, the greens flooded.
o Rain then frost, this produces an ice sheet; this will kill the plant as well as being a H&S issue.
I could go on further but I am sure I have bored you enough. But I will add that I feel, and most greenkeepers feel the same, winter golf is massively important. If I ask the members to chough up £1000 to play on temps all winter I think I will struggle.
Many of you will notice that your greens have been heavily aerated recently. This is to prepare them for the forthcoming winter. Aeration – sandy dressing will improve drainage, improve recovery rate by the improved health, the extra air will help them defrost quicker and the stronger roots will help them fight potential problems. So when your greenkeeper destroys the surface for a few weeks this autumn, instead of condemning him… thank him! Wishful thinking I know lol
If you have any more questions I will be glad to answer
drawboy
Tour Winner
Hi greensman, I don't have a problem with winter mats they are a necessary evil, what with golfers taking large chunks out of the tee, even with drivers, it doesn't take long to destroy a teeing ground. I originally posted because my track have already marked out for winter greens and to be honest it's almost like saying "we give up, the cold weather is coming batten down the hatches" I know the guys work incredibly hard and I appreciate every green keepers efforts 110% it is one of those jobs that must be soul destroying to see a perfect tee carved up at the end of every session or pitch marks left all over greens.
pigmeister
Assistant Pro
Depending on how hard the winter is we usualy go on the mats christmas time until the middle of March.
We go on temps if there is a hard frost.
We go on temps if there is a hard frost.
greensman
Club Champion
Hi Drawboy, don’t get me wrong I appreciate your view. Although I have had my temp greens marked out for three weeks now, cut and rolled! Only, and I repeat, only in the possible occurrence that they are used… I hope not!!
If, in the rare occasion, they are used I am sure you agree that we would prefer them without divots and a reasonable surface.
Lest hope for a dry, mild winter and good quality winter course.
Cheers
P.S I hate winter mats!!!
If, in the rare occasion, they are used I am sure you agree that we would prefer them without divots and a reasonable surface.
Lest hope for a dry, mild winter and good quality winter course.
Cheers
P.S I hate winter mats!!!
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I don't mind mats too much but winter greens!! AARRGGH!!!
Half the game is gone. Approach shots become meaningless as they don't react the same way as on a proper green and we all know what putting on them is like.
Half the game is gone. Approach shots become meaningless as they don't react the same way as on a proper green and we all know what putting on them is like.
I play my winter golf at Tain 10 miles south of Royal Dornoch. No winter greens, but some of the holes have a different tee for the winter. After Jan we hit from the edge of the fairway. if there is frost its not worth playing as you just lose the ball.
Ronnoc1980
Challenge Tour Pro
Well this is not the 1st time I have posted this pic but this is our 8th in a very heavy frost just after we had played it!! If you look close you will see the group on the 4th and all I can say is come the summer they are some of the best greens around. [image]http://
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WGC2
Club Champion
Only ever had one temporary tee while i'm playing, at my club. never any temp. greens.
Ronnoc1980
Challenge Tour Pro
We dont have temp tee's however some days you do need a hammer and six inch nail just to tee the ball up !! 
viscount17
Money List Winner
we had two types of temporary tee last winter.
the one on the 16th was 'boxed' with sleepers, sand based for drainage and you could tee through the mat.
the others were concrete based, with hard mats and slits for the tee, these get channelled out so the tees don't 'bite'. some of the bases aren't on level ground ground and have cracked leaving a very uneven, ridged, surface. teeing at the side of these is not always possible as the area around some of them becomes a mud slick.
If you have to have them the former is the way to go but I do think brooms should be provided to get rid of all the grit.
the one on the 16th was 'boxed' with sleepers, sand based for drainage and you could tee through the mat.
the others were concrete based, with hard mats and slits for the tee, these get channelled out so the tees don't 'bite'. some of the bases aren't on level ground ground and have cracked leaving a very uneven, ridged, surface. teeing at the side of these is not always possible as the area around some of them becomes a mud slick.
If you have to have them the former is the way to go but I do think brooms should be provided to get rid of all the grit.
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