Dr_Colossus wrote: » I played Lucan at the weekend and the greens were probably the best greens anywhere I've ever played. They were unreal, so fast, true, consistent and blemish free and where a joy to put on. Given it's still quite early in the year the conditioning was seriously impressive. I don't know what speed they were running on the strimp meter but as part of the cutting and maintenance process believe they iron the greens after cutting. Now the question, given that hollow tining is to improve aeration and compaction within the greens what are your views on ironing? Would it's regular use require additional hollow tining and similar invasive maintenance throughout the year or is it just a means of rolling the greens smooth and fast after cutting? Also given that hollow tining and sanding often leaves greens bumpy for weeks would ironing them help with the recovery? Thanks.
Senna wrote: » Question; On one parkland course I regularly see large clumps of cut wet grass on the fairways after they have been cut, but I never see that on my home parkland course. Is there cutting equipment at fault, are they cutting it when its too wet or too long? Another one, a few years ago I played a course that had a designated "diviot repair" hole that changed ever day for a week\month (excluding comps). At the tee box was a rack of sandbags and each golfer would take a bag and repair a few diviots as they walk along that fairway, at the green was another rack to hang the bag back up. I was told they stopped it because it encouraged people not to bother replacing their own diviots, it seemed like such a good idea but obviously others disagreed. What's you take on it?
BigChap1759 wrote: » A question on fairways - we always seem to have mud spots early and late season on the fairways, it almost looks as though they have tried to cut them too low. Would these be worm casts or something else?
ronnie3585 wrote: » I played Cregmore last week. Several of the greens were covered in scores of small black maggots. I thought they were dead, but they moved a little. They didn't appear to be coming out of, or digging into the green, they were just lying on top. Funnily enough, the birds had absolutely no interest in them. I've never seen anything like it before, any ideas?
MisterAnarchy wrote: » When I was younger I used to sometimes play golf in the summer time in trainers as they were much lighter than the older style golf shoes. A number of times it was mentioned to me that wearing trainers was bad for the greens. I couldn't fathom this as surely having no spikes on my shoes was better than having spikes ,most golf caddies wear trainers. I heard this same topic brought up at an AGM again recently ,some guy was saying too many kids wearing runners on the course in the summer were damaging greens.Seemed like a crackpot notion. Is there any truth to this ?
GreeBo wrote: » We use a growth inhibitor on the fairways but often in the beginning of the season/winter we will have clumps in the rough. We use a leaf blower (like a jet engine on its side!) on a trailer to blow all the crap to one side of the hole where its then collected. Noisy bugger.
Felexicon wrote: » Are you in the green keeping profession too Greebo?
Fescue wrote: » I can't imagine runners do any kind of damage whatsoever. As for those Adidas Adizero's...
I used to be registered here 10 years ago (where did that go?). I remembered this thread, and said I'd revisit.
So, any more questions? I'm not a greenkeeper, but involved in the industry, in a technical role.
Honestly, is there a reason for parkland courses to use fairway mats during the winter ?
I don't think I've heard of a parkland using mats through the winter before.
If the course is very tight and the level of play through the year is very high, I could see some merit in doing so. Bit of an unusual one to be fair but maybe there are some other reasons I'm not aware of.
loads of courses use fairway mats to protect the fairways during low growth season.
How can someone involved in the industry never have heard of this?
For sure, most links golf courses use them.
I genuinely hadn't heard of many parkland courses using them.
Really? Once ever have I seen them used on a parkland and that was over 10 years ago. The same club gave up the practice after 2 winters of using them.
I enjoyed reading this thread. Didnt realise it was 10 years old 😂 @Appletart Upsetter
I've never played a parkland course using mats in all my life, and unfortunately I am this game a very long time.
Malahide have them implemented from everywhere currently, if that helps.
Think maybe Stackstown too
Yes Stackstown mats in use.
Fair play to both of these clubs for trying to protect their course during the winter.
Of course, if you really wanted to protect your course, you might close in November and reopen in April!
we use them in Greystones
jesus weep
Is this a new thing for Parklands courses? I've only ever used mats on the fairways playing links golf. And even that was maybe twice in my life.
I played Malahide in winter, about 5 or 6 years ago, in not so pleasant conditions and it was just placing back then. Definitely not mats on the fairways.
It appears their use isn't as widespread as you led me to believe!
