August Rainfall - Impacts on Turf Conditions

WGN's weather expert, Tom Skilling, reported that the month of August is the highest rain fall average based on perennial records.   Rainfall is only one of the factors that contributes to playing conditions.   Rainfall, higher humidity and hotter temperatures in August combine to impact the turf to a point it gets a bit "puffy" and not as firm and tight as normal.   This is an annual occurrence for every golf course in the North portion of the country. 

It has rained 9 of the  first 21 days of August. When it is warm and humid, it takes 3-4 days of sunshine and windy conditions to dry the course after a rain.

 

 

 

It takes a number of days following rainfalls for the course to dry.

 

 

 

Driving Range Practice Patterns

The photos below, presented by the USGA, exhibit the turf damage resulting from 30 practice shots.  The purpose of the photo is to emphasize how the linear divot patter can aide in a quicker turf recovery.   Please utilize the linear divot pattern during your practice sessions.   Thanks for your help.

The photo below exhibits how much more turf is impacted by a random divot pattern.
This pattern will take longer for the turf to recover and be of lesser quality for a longer period.

Summer On The Golf Course

Below is a video from the USGA sharing some of the factors relating to golf course management challenges during the summer months.   Enjoy.

Why Does Turf Have To Be Watered During The DAy

The video below gives a description of why water might need to be applied during the day to greens during the summer stress months.  It is a common practice at every golf course.

The second video explains why turf dies in the heat.

Enjoy

 

Weather Roller Coaster

Not only does the weather change rapidly but those weather conditions directly affect the playability of the golf course.   It was just several short weeks ago that the golf course was saturated, standing water and wet from the frequent rains.  Now, less than a few weeks later the soil is dry and cracking and the turf is wilting and dry.  We deal with what mother nature throws at us.

Two weeks ago the staff was squeeging standing water in the fairways

After only a week of dry, hot and windy weather, the course is drying out and quite firm.

Soils have transitioned from totally wet to bone dry and cracking in some areas

The greens and fairways have dried out and even started wilting.

Today the staff is cooling and syringing the greens to prevent wilt and keep the turf alive

 

 

 

 

Wet Wet Wet

The weather has had a significant impact on both our NCC members and the Golf Course Operations team.  Below are a few photos of how the rainfall has hampered the golf course and the golf course operations team this spring. 


I am sure it will be hot and dry soon enough. 

While the extensive rain days have frustrated our golfers, the Golf Course Operations team members have struggled with staying dry as they prepare the course.

Staff is squeeging water on the fairways

Team members have pumped and cleaned the white bunkers over 20 time this spring

Wet Spring

We have had quite a wet spring.  April, May and June have had numerous days of rainfall.  However, the course is in great shape.  The roughs continue to stay wet.  Shade, low areas, lack of sub-surface drainage, limited air flow and higher cutting heights contribute to the roughs staying wetter than the fairways.  The greens, tees, fairways and bunkers are still in a quality condition each day.

The roughs have been wet this spring

Another thunder storm over NCC

Just when we think we have issues, the farmers in the Mid-West are in trouble