Consideration for the long term quality and condition of the golf course must always come first
to reduce thatch, as this not only physically removes organic matter, but permits gas exchange, vital in maintaining a healthy microbial environment necessary in thatch decomposition. It also assists with the movement of pesticides, nutrients and water through to the soil layer - how many times have you seen healthy white roots growing in tine holes or slits? Since hollow coring is disruptive to putting green surfaces, and subsequently upsetting to golfers, we tend to restrict this operation to one or two occasions each year. However, there are other forms of aeration which can also be beneficial in thatch reduction. These include the use of solid, chisel or slit tines, designed to relieve compaction and permit air and water movement. Slit tines (thin bladed knives) can be used on a regular basis, not only for the benefits already mentioned, but also pruning tillers, yet causing minimal surface disruption. Sarel rolling is also a regular tool which can be used with minimal disruption, since it is working in the top 20mm and very beneficial in gaseous exchange and will also enhance microbial activity.
Consideration for the long term quality and condition of the golf course must always come first, and this means the timing of important course maintenance programmes should not be planned around club competitions. Main competitions usually start at the
beginning of April and not finish to the end of October - ideally the reverse should happen. Verti-draining or hollow coring greens during March or at the end of October will be far less beneficial in reducing thatch or encouraging a deeper root system than if programmed for late May and mid-September. Too early in the spring before the soils have warmed up sufficiently, or too late in the autumn when soil temperatures have cooled, will result in poor putting surfaces for weeks and, in some cases, months before any noticeable recovery. On the other hand, carrying out this operation when soil temperatures are high will see recovery and good putting surfaces within days. This will naturally vary according to the part of the country (north or south) you are working in. If well informed, and given the choice, it is more likely that members would rather have a week of disruption during the growing season than two months or more at the beginning and end of each growing season. Communicate to members and visitors via the club diary and notice board that, subject to favourable weather, the greens are to be hollow cored or verti-drained during a certain period! Then competitions and society bookings can be planned accordingly - to be pre-warned is to be prepared! Topdressing greens, either as a separate programme or in conjunction with a coring programme, will dilute
thatch and assist in producing an environment more conducive to healthy plant growth. The number of occasions greens are topdressed is dependent on the growth habit of your particular grasses. Assuming that the underlying soils are of the desired specification, it is important that the topdressing material is compatible (similar size and composition) with the rootzone to avoid layering or a root break. Irrigation management is reliant on water movement from the surface through to the rootzone effectively and for moisture to be retained in the macro and micro pore spaces. Irrigate when there is least wind, preferably early morning. The aim should be to wet the soils without exceeding infiltration and percolation rates. Research shows that roots do not “go in search of water.” However, roots only grow in moist soils and continually grow into new areas that have not yet dried out. So, in practice, this means that if only the upper layers of the rootzone remain moist, roots will be confined to these areas. If, by probing into the soil, it is revealed that the soil is dry a few centimetres below the surface, this will largely be due to root uptake and the root system will continue to shrink as it removes the moisture. By assessing the moisture content within the first 15 - 20 centimetres of the soil profile using a soil probe, will ensure adequate moisture for healthy root development. Fertiliser regimes will vary from course to course and will be dependent on the manager’s ideals and philosophies. However, it is important to avoid excessive applications of nitrogen and monitor nutrient availability and pH readings via soil tests. Controlling thatch is essential in maintaining healthy turf, and problems relating to thatch accumulation can be avoided if sound management practices are implemented. The R&A, who, in my opinion, is the leading body of golf, have promoted sustainable golf for a number of years. If you look at the various case studies on their website, they are working to ensure we can all lighten our environmental footprint while retaining the playing quality demanded by today’s golfers. These case studies include world
renowned links courses in Scotland and Ireland, as well as inland courses in Wales and England. They all have something in common, they use minimal applications of fertiliser and pesticides and, more importantly, they manage their courses on surprisingly small budgets.
If well informed, and given the choice, it is more likely that members would rather have a week of disruption during the growing season than two months or more at the beginning and end of each growing season
40
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115