This site is intended to share information relating to the management of the golf course conditioning and quality of Northmoor Country Club and the art, the science, and the factors that influence those conditions. Please visit as often as possible.





Monday, October 25, 2010

South Side of Clavey

Leaf collection and removal is a full time task in the fall.




As we are nearing the end of the golfing season and play is diminishing, we will be closing the holes on the South side of Clavey Road. Many of our employees have already left for the winter and the remaining staff will focus on maintaining the 18 holes on the North side of Clavey. Our primary focus for the next several weeks will be leaf collection, mulching, and removal.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Green Speed Factors

Frequently asked question - "Do you just cut the greens lower to make them faster?"
The answer is no. Mowing height is only one factor involved in green speeds.
Green speeds are not increased by simply lowering the cutting height of a mower. Each individual turf species has limitations on how low it can be mowed with being severely damaged.

Numerous factors influence the green speeds on a daily based.
These factors include, but are not limited to:

The firmness of the green’s surface
The irrigation schedules of the green’s surfaces
Rolling of the greens
Single or double cutting the greens
The construction method (root zone mix) of the greens
Grooming of the greens
Brushing of the greens prior to mowing
Fertilization rates
Rainfall amounts
Wind velocities
Humidity levels
Topdressing schedules
Cupping locations
Contour of the green’s surface
Aerification schedules
Ball marks
Thatch levels
Grain formation
Soil temperatures
Turfgrass variety established on the green

Friday, October 1, 2010

What Factors are Involved in Determining the Daily Cupping Locations?

Who decides the daily cupping locations for the greens?
What factors are involved in where the cupping locations are set
?

For daily play, the Golf Course Superintendent determines the cupping locations.
For particular tournament play, the Golf Chairman or the Golf Professional may provide input.

The consideration and actual placement of the cupping locations on the greens each day is dependent on numerous factors. They include, but are not limited to:

Undulations and slope of the green
Wind direction
Wind velocity
Actual speed of the green
Moisture level of the green
Number of ball marks in the vicinity
Distance of the hole on a particular day
Entry and exit points of the green
Traffic flow and wear patterns of the green
The health of the turf in the localized area within the green
The quest to meet a 6 easy – 6 medium – 6 challenging cupping location set-up
Even distribution of front – middle – and back cupping locations (preferably 6 each)
Even distribution of left – center – right cupping locations (preferably 6 each)
Make the course play at a designated distance each day
Number of available and fair cupping locations on a given green
Suggestion by the Golf Committee for the degree of course difficulty for given events
Meet general USGA course setup guidelines as related to green’s edges, slopes, etc.
The particular design of the hole
The distance and difficulty of the approach shot for that particular day
The skill level of golfers for a particular event
The firmness of the green