Golf Course Etiquette

One of the first things I was taught as a young golfer was golf course etiquette.  I believe over the last number of years golfers from all over the spectrum have forgotten etiquette or have not been taught golf course etiquette.

Thanks to the USGA, here is an article worth reading.

http://turf.lib.msu.edu/2000s/2008/081118.pdf

BALL MARKS

As the golf season is starting, we would like to remind our members and guest to remember to repair your ball marks.  The greens are just starting to come alive from their winter sleep and are very susceptible to ball mark damage.

I have added a link from the USGA regarding ball marks.  The video is very informative and will help instruct you on the proper repair of ball marks.

http://www.usga.org/turf/articles/video/repairingballmarks.html

Enjoy the season!!

Winter Play

Spring Fever In February

By Ty McClellan, agronomist, Mid-Continent Region
February 17, 2011

Courses are most vulnerable to traffic damage when snowmelt is occurring.  Play should never be allowed during wet soil conditions because of the increased risk of compaction and rutting.

Only a week ago a whopping 49 of the 50 U.S. states had snow cover.  This was the after-effects of one of the worst winter storms on record that hammered much of the country with ice, snow and sub-zero temperatures.  In the upper Mid-Continent region, some were buried beneath nearly 28 inches of snow. 
Fast forward to this week, and temperatures climbed into the 50’s and 60’s.  In fact, a few parts of the region have experienced record daily temperature highs for February.  It’s hard to imagine it, but areas in the Great Plains that saw temperatures dip to -35°F last week, reached close to 65°F this week.  That’s a 100-degree turnaround in a week!  
Keep in mind that it is times like these where golf courses are most vulnerable to traffic damage.  Even when air temperatures rise to a comfortable level to play golf, soils may thaw near the surface but will remain frozen several inches below.  Subsurface drainage is impeded, which causes water to dam at the surface.  Soft and wet soils are extremely prone to compaction damage from any sort of traffic, and rutting is possible with heavy-tire traffic.  Either will require significantly more aeration in the spring and summer to correct the damage that has been done, and spring green-up will be slowed considerably.  Play should never be allowed during such conditions! 
It is likely that much of the snow and ice covering putting greens has melted.  For superintendents, it is important that water can freely exit the green so that it does not puddle and refreeze on the surface.  It takes just a few freeze-thaw cycles and there is sure to be winter injury by way of crown hydration injury.  The common question of whether to remove snow and ice from greens, or not, is never easily answered and it depends on many variables, including site conditions and weather forecasts.  Regardless of the decisions made, there is sure to be some degree of second-guessing involved.  Even the best laid plans may fail.  To a large extent, winter injury remains one of the unsolved mysteries in our industry.
For golf enthusiasts and anyone experiencing the winter blues, the recent warm-up is only temporary.  Another winter storm is expected in a few days.  In fact, winter is still some six weeks or so from being over.  So, continue utilizing all-season driving ranges to keep your swing sharp and rely on your superintendent and knowledgeable course officials for the green light as to when it is safe to tee it up for real. 

If you would like more information about a Turf Advisory Service visit, do not hesitate to contact either of the Mid-Continent regional offices: Ty McClellan at tmcclellan@usga.org or (630) 340-5853, or Bud White at budwhite@usga.org or (972) 662-1138.

Course Conditions

Due to the freezing and thawing the past few days and the excessive moisture on the course, the golf course will be closed to players until further notice.

Please check back for further updates.

Off Season Duties

We are always asked, "What do you do in the winter?"  After a season of mowing, the equipment fleet is in need of a break and some preventative maintenance.  The mower reels are dismantled and checked for any repair such as bearings and seals.  The reels and bedknives are ground and are ready for the first spring mowing.  We also start all of the equipment with fresh oil and filters for the upcomming season.

Ken Daily grinding a fairway reel.

Merry Christmas

The grounds staff would like to extend warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! 

Greens Covers

One of our ways to protect the putting surfaces during the winter is the use of turf covers.  We covered 17 green, the three practice greens and the nursery green.  The covers will assist us in preventing dessication of the turf plant.  I want to thank the staff at Drumm Farm in Kansas City for allowing us the use of four covers.  It is much appreciated. 



The grounds crew has been busy cleaning the shop and reorganizing parts and equipment.  We have also been watering the new sod on 9 and 10 tee boxes.  So far the greens have adequate moisture.  If we don't get any moisture soon, we'll be watering the greens in the next few weeks.