Above, for the last 10 years, our approach mowers have been set to a height of cut that includes groomers. Groomers, labeled above are small blades spaced out out by a tiny margin that cut the grass vertically, before the bedknife and reel get to the grass. By grooming, it is helping stand the turf upright before being cut and also trimming the lateral stems, which ultimately branch, helping achieve denser turf. Having groomers placed on the mowers is an upgrade, they are sold separate from the mower. There are instances where a Superintendent wouldn't want groomers. One is if your greens are 100% Poa annua. There is not much of an advantage using groomers since that grass species is so upright growing to begin with.
This year, I purchased these Turf Trainer "brushes" as well. Developed by a Superintendent in New England, they are made using high quality artificial turf that is mounted to the underside of the clipping buckets on the mowers. They knock the dew off the leaf blade, and stand the turf up even more, before the groomer gets there and ultimately the reel and bedknife. This morning was the first time we employed the Turf Trainer brushes and I was very pleased with what I've seen so far. The benefits of all these methods we are using are cumulative in nature; none will result in overnight success. I believe within a month, we'll start to see improvement in the upright growth habit of our bentgrasses on our approaches. I've also ordered these Turf Trainer units for our tee and collar mowers as well.
So as a recap, we are employing the following methods to improve the density of turf on your approaches:
- Topdressing every 10-14 days.
- Use of turf trainer brushes with every mowing.
- Use of groomers with every mowing.
- Introducing newer species of Bentgrass via inner-seeding 2x per year.
- Annual Graden- sand injection aggressive verticutting in November.
- Annual DryJect aeration in November.
- Implementing a sound tree management program to maximize sun exposure to these areas.