The week of May 4 was one for the record books. High temperatures, dry air and virtually no
rain is perfect weather for golfing! Perfect golfing weather isn’t always perfect
weather for growing grass. Our area was/is
under some severe drought conditions and we were forced to start irrigating the
golf course at night. Overnight
irrigation is rare for this early in the season.
Although the weather last week reminded us of mid July, keep
in mind it’s only the beginning of May and it’s still early in the season. Our putting greens are still being groomed
and prepared for peak season. With the
intense weather last week – we weren’t able to “beat them up” with spring
routines that are often performed. When
the weather has our greens stressed, we have to be kind to them. The following practices aren’t “kind” to our
greens, but it’s what Superintendents do in order to maintain quality putting
greens.
So, now that the weather has calmed down, we will be able to
perform some grooming techniques on the greens that will aid in the smoothness
of the surface. This week the greens
will be verticut several times to thin out the surface and help rid the
“puffiness” that remains from the early spring flush of growth. They will also be brushed prior to mowing to
stand up the turf and thin out any grass shoots growing laterally that have
been “escaping” the mowers each morning.
Finally, sand will be incorporated into the surface to help smooth the
putting greens. And of course, regular
mowing and rolling will be continued. These
“cultural practices” will be performed regularly throughout the season to
maintain consistent putting greens. For
more information on these practices, see posts on this blog from 2014.
Forget The Players Championship
last weekend. Here’s your champion from
last weekend’s main event. Luke Cowen.
