The recent conditions have put the turf on the surfaces under heat stress, this being lack of available moisture & high temperatures coupled with drying winds have meant some of the management of the surfaces shifted to more preservation than presentation. The main reason for this change in surface management is to ensure we don't start to lose coverage on the surfaces, getting them through periods of increased stress will allow more consistent surfaces to be presented and played on for longer through the year.
To try to counter the lack of moisture we can apply irrigation through the sprinkler system to the greens & tees, we also measure the actual moisture content in the soil, using a moisture meter, so we can target areas that are in deficit and also ensure we don't over water. One of the problems we encountered during the recent warm spell was high winds, this has meant some of our intended irrigation has quite literally been blown off course. To counter this we also carry out hand watering of areas, were irrigation is missing its target or high spots.
Other method's we use to reduce the stress on the surfaces is raising the height of cut on the mowers, this allows more leaf to remain which aids the photosynthesis of the grass plant. As growth slows down we also alternate between cutting & rolling, this again reduces the stresses of mowing but helps us maintain playability with the rolling carried out. Continued aeration, topdressing and nutrient input also aid the overall grass plant health and make it more resilient to stresses.
So with rainfall now forecast on the horizon our management techniques will shift again slightly as we will be able to push the surfaces on again, hopefully having got through the recent warm period. Until next time.....
