Course Update
Winter Course Care
Well, last week saw the end of Jack Frost’s summer vacation to the southern hemisphere. He came back with a bang and a sharp reminder of what winter can be like here in the UK. For anyone who played last week, you will have noticed – and no doubt been slightly frustrated by – the use of frost pins on the aprons. Protecting the greens during times of frost has been commonplace here for several decades, and it remains really important that we do so. I know there are some local clubs that just continue to play on main greens no matter what the ground conditions, and I have been asked why we can’t. The answer is not one simple reason; it is several reasons that all form part of the decision-making process.
The first thing to note is the size of our greens – they are very small, and the usable areas are even smaller with the undulations we have. Our greens cover 7,500 sqm and one local royal club that uses greens in frost has 22,000 sqm, almost three times the size of ours. They can afford to have some areas of the greens damaged by playing in the frost; we cannot. The damage that can be done to the turf is both visual and hidden. The black/brown footprints we get on frozen turf after the thaw are clear and visible damage to the leaf. This damage leaves the turf weak and susceptible to disease. With weak and diseased turf, the playing surfaces will become bumpy and poor to putt on, and this damage continues to be an issue into the start of the following season.
I think the real frustration comes once the white hoar frost has gone from the leaf and golfers expect the greens to be back in play. This thawing process is the time when the grass plants are most vulnerable. We have to wait until the frost is fully out of the ground so as not to cause root damage. As the ground thaws, the top becomes soft and the underneath remains solid. As golfers walk on turf in this state, the top can move and shear the roots off in the ground. This is clearly not visible to us from the surface, but it is real, and shallow, damaged roots do not produce the healthy plants that we need to have good greens year-round.
With all these factors in mind, I ask that you all remain patient and don’t put pressure on the green staff as they go about their tasks. I can assure you we are doing the best we can, not for the short term but for the long-term health and playability of the course.
On the upside, work didn’t grind to a halt last week and work continued on the paths at 12 and 16, and anyone playing this week will notice a difference as the turf starts to go down. As with all GUR, please keep off the turf until it is back in play and follow any directional signage and rope. The ropes are there for all golfers and not to be stepped over with carry bags or trolleys.
Les Howkins MG
Golf Course Manager
The first thing to note is the size of our greens – they are very small, and the usable areas are even smaller with the undulations we have. Our greens cover 7,500 sqm and one local royal club that uses greens in frost has 22,000 sqm, almost three times the size of ours. They can afford to have some areas of the greens damaged by playing in the frost; we cannot. The damage that can be done to the turf is both visual and hidden. The black/brown footprints we get on frozen turf after the thaw are clear and visible damage to the leaf. This damage leaves the turf weak and susceptible to disease. With weak and diseased turf, the playing surfaces will become bumpy and poor to putt on, and this damage continues to be an issue into the start of the following season.
I think the real frustration comes once the white hoar frost has gone from the leaf and golfers expect the greens to be back in play. This thawing process is the time when the grass plants are most vulnerable. We have to wait until the frost is fully out of the ground so as not to cause root damage. As the ground thaws, the top becomes soft and the underneath remains solid. As golfers walk on turf in this state, the top can move and shear the roots off in the ground. This is clearly not visible to us from the surface, but it is real, and shallow, damaged roots do not produce the healthy plants that we need to have good greens year-round.
With all these factors in mind, I ask that you all remain patient and don’t put pressure on the green staff as they go about their tasks. I can assure you we are doing the best we can, not for the short term but for the long-term health and playability of the course.
On the upside, work didn’t grind to a halt last week and work continued on the paths at 12 and 16, and anyone playing this week will notice a difference as the turf starts to go down. As with all GUR, please keep off the turf until it is back in play and follow any directional signage and rope. The ropes are there for all golfers and not to be stepped over with carry bags or trolleys.
Les Howkins MG
Golf Course Manager