As the smart phone continues to evolve, more and more apps are available to help superintendents. One such app is called Sun Seeker. Using your GPS location, it shows where you are standing. It will also show the angle of the sun throughout the day. As turf managers, we desire nothing more than full morning sun. This is the time of day that plants are most photosynthetically active. Therefore, keeping greens clear of trees on the east and north side is advantageous. Afternoon shade is not a bad thing...in fact, it can be beneficial to keeping the greens cooled. Therefore, trees on the south and west side of the greens is not a bag thing. At HCC, we have a tremendous amount of shade challenges. On #15, the green only receives sun for about 3-4 hours a day, all in the afternoon. Research shows high quality turf needs at least 6-7 hours of sun per day, most in the morning. By comparison, this would be like asking a human being to consume all food for the day at 1pm. You may survive but you would eventually have health issues as a result of this lifestyle!
