Greens Report
Andy Naillard has provided the following discussion of the recent audit of our greens:
Chris (superintendent) and I met David Howard (Dave) the turf expert (NZSTI) 12 Mar 25 to review his latest report. Good report from Dave on where greens sit. Charts and figures provided do take explanation but Dave ran us through his expectations and outcomes at SCGC. Things have certainly changed for the better according to Dave.
Discussion (Andy's interpretation):
- SCGC greens are sand-based (and were built as such). Chris has been returning us to that state over last 3 years. Fairways remain soil and will play differently as would be expected - fairways/rough plugging in winter/poor drainage/clodding. Greens had become variously blended (soil/sand) previously so thatch had built up and drainage poor in winter; coring required annually and greens often poor in winter - drain badly and uneven. Balls ran irregularly (agreed) and unpredictable week-to-week in winter and/or during slow (mixed) growth. Greens inconsistent. Much talk of replacing 2nd and 9th greens period 2017-2021.
- Outcome from regular sanding is we now have harder greens (as you would expect of sand greens); two to three units by Dave's reporting index from 2 years ago. Hence, members comments are correct but that is what is expected of sand greens. (Good golfers will know this). We have invested in supporting technology and equipment to support this (aerator, sander) .
- SCGC greens now run smoother (agreed) and more resilient for 365 days a year. Issues on 2nd and 9th addressed. Now Green Staff have established NEW NORMAL for the greens; Chris will slowly manage their consistency to this new normal. This is NOT an overnight outcome and Dave has offered to check softness every two months to confirm new normal for greens (greens are not, now, as weather sensitive). Certainly, this last winter the greens were more consistent and much less irregular ball movement when approaching onto the greens surface and when putting.
- Consistency across green is improving but dry spots take time to unwind below the surface - we will likely continue to see improvement as a function of sanding. But consistency score has improved on NZSTI audit.
- Star weed and toad rush (at back of greens and where water tends to drain at seeding in autumn off greens naturally) likely to continue to be prevalent but Staff have been heavily treating both at the back of several greens. Weed report on Turf Report must reflect their presence; it is not a measure of percentage of weeds on green but the fact they remain at inspection. Problem for most golf courses today and all forced to use chemical-based regime, if and when weather allows, to address; weather been an issue this year as most chemicals need to persist post-spraying undiluted.
Outcome: Greens are more 365 day playable as sand greens. They will run smother and truer through the year (agreed already). Approaches onto the green will have a more consistent impact into green surface and run; there will be less back-spin unless you are a good player. Royal Melbourne is sandier and firmer by several 'units'. Expectation a 15 handicapper can get back spin is not part of playing sand greens - soft greens come at a price but not in a player's handicap - you just play the course differently!. Less extreme maintenance such as coring (we may core depending on thatch report from NZSTI audit as required - likely every 5 years or so, but audit input will decide). They will drain better in heavy weather so course is more playable.
Context: I (Andy Nailard) played sand/oil browns (greens) in Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the 1990's. Browns/Greens ran very true and were low maintenance if players brushed greens after playing out to remove ball impact, ball run and foot marks. Never any back spin as with the way bunkers behave. Currently member/shareholder Louth Golf Course (Lincolnshire, UK) - soil greens. Use winter greens for 3 months as get boggy.
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