This time of year, I receive a lot of feedback on the condition of the driving range tee. After 4 solid months of heavy use, the amount of good turf is depleted. Holiday weekends take a greater toll on the tee. There are some facts:
1. We sand and seed all the divots daily at the driving range. However, it takes 3-4 months from seeding for turf to establish into a playable surface. Simply put, a divot taken in June will not heal this year and be suitable to hit off again in this season.
2. Your divot pattern can GREATLY impact the amount of turf you use during a practice session. If every golfer would abide by this, the range tee would remain in better shape for the enjoyment of the entire membership.
3. I maintain a high level of fertility on the tee so the turf recovers faster. I will also do a periodic heavy sand topdressing to level the tee. We interseed not only bentgrass into the tee but ryegrass as well. Although not desirable, ryegrass germinates quickly and grows faster than bentgrass. If we relied solely on bentgrass, the tee would take even longer to recover.
4. Because of the large amounts of seed on the tee, it is necessary to irrigate the tee frequently for maximum seed germination. This means the tee may seem wetter than the course.
5. After seeding and topdressing, I withhold mowing for a week. Of course, the grass gets long and shaggy but this is crucial for the healing process. It allows the existing turf to grow through the sand and also allows seed to germinate without getting damaged by the mower.
With your help, the range tee could last longer into the fall season with a lot more playable turf. Tighten up your divot pattern to the "in line" method shown numerous times in the Piper Newsletter. By doing this, you can save 5 or more square feet of turf per practice session! If you have children or grandchildren who are simply practicing, use the portable mat available at the range.
Thank you for helping to keep HCC in the best possible condition!
