Summer Sports - Bowls
Some additional pointers for bowls greenkeepers
To avoid problems with wear, direction and rink rotation is vital. Ensure wear areas remain flat and use rink protectors to avoid heavy wear.
Rotation and close monitoring is vital in avoiding wear but, if you have areas of stressed turf, then raising the cutting height is an important first step. Syringe watering and increased aeration should also be undertaken, along with additional fertiliser applications (trace elements).
Avoid cutting stressed areas and reseed as required. Giving stressed turf what it requires is important in the recovery process.
Primo Maxx (or similar) is a useful tool in the greenkeeper’s armoury, but it is important to understand how it should be used to obtain the best results.
You will be under pressure from bowlers, members and, no doubt, your committee to increase green speed, particularly early in the season. Remember that grass is a plant and, like any other plant, growth is regulated by the season and the weather.
Do not push too hard for green speed too early in the season. Regular cutting will see the speed naturally progress.
If you are going to roll, do so first thing in morning as this keeps the plant down for the whole day. Use only dedicated green rollers or the roller on your mower.
Grooming and verticutting are important functions, as is managing your irrigation correctly. Major damage can be inflicted on the green when pushing too hard for speed.
Keep a daily diary and record abnormal inputs and applications, including rainfall, temperatures and sunlight.
Record your fertiliser/chemical application and monitor root depth via core extractions across the green. Soil testing is also important to understand what additional problems you may have.
Take photos of your green on a monthly basis (a simple task with modern phones) to include with your diary.
Have your machines serviced every year and include the work undertaken in your diary. Remember, a correctly sharpened and set cylinder is vitally important in reducing grass stress.
Get your green in good condition pre- season and use good growing conditions and closed greens to your advantage.
Communication with your members and committee is key. Record keeping protects yourself and good preparation and planning will be seen as a strength.
Remain calm during any discussions and consider using social media to explain what you are doing and why. You’ll find that networking is invaluable.
68 I PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Alan Lewis MSc NDT FinstG, Sports Turf Consultant
• Even usage in both directions and as many playing positions as possible
• Assist to minimise compaction and thatch • Assist to minimise moss • Assist to minimise coarse grass • A consistent playing surface • Prevent localised worn areas
• Prevent bowlers from entering the rink end at the same position
• Prevent edges from collapsing
• Assist in the maintenance of the green in providing an all round consistent playing surface in relation to good industry practices
Alan Lewis MSc NDT FinstG, Sports Turf Consultant
Flat rink bowls is typically played on a square bowling green, with each side being 38.4m (42 yards) in length, however, this can vary from between 30.2m (33 yards) and 40.2m (44 yards). Rink size can range from 14-19 feet (4.27- 5.79m) for casual play and 18- 19feet (5.49- 5.79m) for competition play, with each green typically having six rinks marked for play. The direction of play should be altered regularly to spread the wear on the rink end;
continuing to use the same rink in the same direction will affect surface level and create runs in the rink that the woods will follow and a nap on the grass surface. Using one rink will create the need for more annual maintenance, mainly renovation at the end of the season. Surface nap on the grass will reduce the
effect of the bias on the wood and lead to bowler play only on length and not the draw of the woods. Play must be evenly spread over the green and rotated to spread wear.
And finally ... Mel Pooley, Sports Surface Consultant
It is a proven fact that rotation of rinks distributes the wear evenly. Using the same rinks will create tracking of the bowl on certain lines and will disrupt the player’s ability to control the bowl, especially the away players, and could give the home players an unfair advantage. Compaction will also be a problem by constantly playing in one direction.
Conclusion
From the above comments, it is clear that rink rotation is a vital requirement in providing a viable bowling green, regardless of what your committee or members think!
Mel Pooley, Sports Surface Consultant
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