Preparations for the Long Haul

Early in the season we often field similar questions each year.  Most of those questions pertain to conditions to the golf course like; greens speeds, bunker conditions, rough, etc...  Each season we take the same approach.  We build check lists with tasks and goals, going about accomplishing them methodically.  Mother Nature will always force us to make adjustments but those goals still need accomplished.

We start each year with the mindset that Memorial Day weekend is the "kickoff" to the golf season.  Granted we will see some great golfing days prior but our desire for mid-season conditions are focused on that "kickoff" weekend.  Cleanup of the golf course is by far the most important task at the start of the year.  This can usually take up to 3 weeks to get all material and debris cleanup from winter.  Once cleanup is complete we transition to preparing playing surfaces for their first mowing.

Following all the initial cleanup and mowing we then focus on plant health.  This is by far the most important aspect of the spring.  This is the time we train the turf for the upcoming golf season, Memorial Day through mid-September.  Similar to training for a marathon; you're not just gonna come out and run a marathon.  Training is key to condition yourself to handle the 26.2 miles, rather than coming out and being gassed after 12 miles.  During the spring we focus on nutrition and cultural practices.  These practices are the training steps to get the turf through the season.  As these practices are carried out, we then begin to condition the turf and slowly work our way to that target date.  Mowing heights will be lowered and rolling frequencies will increase.  Our target is a consistent green speed, speeds will range from 10.5 to 11.5 on the stimp throughout the season.  Some events will constitute a higher speed but primarily we'll average out to an 11.  Similar conditioning practices are put forth on all other playing surfaces.  Greens are the most scrutinized as the perception of a fast green is a healthy green and how it should always be.  Like we stated above, we need to build to that.  If we pushed them from opening the gates we'd be reeling back in mid season, and we don't want that.

Along with conditioning, projects are always a major focus in spring.  At times this is finishing up projects from the fall but, also instituting new projects to benefit the golf course for the season.  We again keep the Memorial Day weekend as our target.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature can complicate that at times but we are much better off if we can have them completed by then.  Projects take a great deal of labor, this takes away from being able to focus 100% on the conditioning of the golf course.  Reasoning why it's so important to be able to get completed.

As you can see a lot of thought and a lot of work go into the spring and preparing the golf course.  We are working through our aerification work these last few weeks with greens to be done Monday, the 11th.  Weather permitting.  Very happy with how things have progressed and we are on track for being in tremendous shape and all projects completed come Memorial Day weekend.