Interview
and the use of less pesticides. You made no mention of the role of fine grasses in these articles. Does The R&A believe that encouraging the fine grasses is an important element of the sustainable approach?
The R&A very much believes that grass selection is a very important element of the sustainable approach. However, we are realistic and accept that not all are blessed with the conditions that readily favour low input grasses, so we need to encourage everyone to limit their resource use as much as they can, whilst presenting quality playing surfaces. We need to remember that, in terms of grass cover, golf demands quality and not quantity. Greenkeepers are not farmers whose livelihood relies on yield.
The excessive use of water and fertiliser remains one of the main issues facing golf around the world, and one that we are trying to address through advocacy and example.
You have also written erudite articles on the need for greens that are not too fast, for a number of reasons, including that it slows down the pace of play. What, in your view, is driving the fashion for some greens to be set-up so fast?
The ‘race for pace’ has been with us for decades and reflects what some golfers think they want, televised golf, advanced greenkeeping techniques and grass breeding. These factors have been covered many times over the years and I would like to focus here
more on what a number of recent surveys have been telling us; that top of most golfers wish list is consistent putting surfaces with a smooth roll. Again, I would highlight the benefit of putting surface performance testing as a means of achieving this, without putting the grass under too much stress. Excessive stress, induced through over-close mowing or climate - or a combination of the two - leads to inconsistency in putting surface performance.
I understand that a simple way to measure the grass species content of a greens sward, by a DNA analysis of grass clippings was being developed. This research seems to have been kicked into the long grass, if you will excuse the pun. What is The R&A doing to support this important research project?
After significant financial investment, and a number of years attempting to develop such a way to measure grass species content, we were advised that it was not technically feasible, at least not as an affordable service. Point quadrat analysis remains the recognised technique, but it is time-consuming and, therefore, costly. If someone can come up with a reliable, repeatable and affordable means of assessing species composition, which does not rely on visual identification by experts, then we would be delighted to hear from them.
Running-Golf Day
FineGolf, the online publication that promotes the classic values of traditional running golf, has organised, in partnership with Notts. Golf Club (Hollinwell), an opportunity for greens staff, secretaries, chair of green and interested golfers to learn about the key greenkeeping issue for the future, how to manage the change from ‘weed’ annual meadow grass (Poa annua) to ‘fine’ fescue/browntop bent surfaces, with Britain’s leading experts speaking on ‘The case for running-golf’.
Speakers include:
Steve Isaac, R&A Director, on the relevance to today’s needs of Jim Arthur’s book Practical Greenkeeping, updated in 2014.
Gordon Irvine MG, Europe’s foremost consultant on sustainable agronomic change to fine grasses.
John Philp MBE, the hero of Carnoustie and one of only two greenkeepers with a hole named after them in the UK.
Mick Grindle, Chair of green at Notts Golf Club / Hollinwell, which has been returned to fine grassed surfaces.
The 4th September day is sponsored by Symbio, Johnsons Sports Seeds, Barenbrug, Baroness and Farmura/Aquatrols.
To book a place (£30 including refreshments, or £55 to also play the championship course in the afternoon) email
lorne@finegolf.co.uk
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