Fairway Improvement

I've been asked by a few folks why the fairways seem to be in better condition this year compared to years past.  To answer that question, involves talking about a few different management practices that we perform on the fairways.  Historically, some members thought the fairways we too lean and tight.  

About three years ago, then Green Committee Chairman, Chris Hohlstein and I, began a conversation about what we could do to improve the fairways so golfers get a better lie when their golf ball lands on the turf.  Through a series of maintenance practices that were implemented the following year, we've made some really good progress and it's the combination of the following practices that led to the improvement.  The good news is, as we continue to work on these different programs, the fairways will only get better.

The first improvement is the result of the new irrigation system.  We are able to irrigate more accurately than ever before.  Our old system led to a lot of overwatering because of the poor design.

Two years ago we purchased a tractor mounted seeder for the purpose of inner-seeding new varieties of Creeping Bentgrass into our fairways.  The bentgrasses that exist on our fairways are more common varieties that have evolved over time.  They tend to be very leggy and they grow sideways, rather than upright.  New varieties are denser and have a upright growth habit.  I really feel this is the most important of all practices for the long term success of our fairways.  It is also the most difficult to judge the success of because the results are not instant.  When you look long-term, these new grasses will continue to outcompete the older varieties of Bentgrass. 

That same year we also purchased an aerator that allows us to punch holes on a much tighter spacing.  By aerating fairways on a tighter spacing, we are able to work more sand into the rootzone and improve the growing environment.  These holes offer voids for the newer Bentgrasses to spread.   

Finally, I revamped the fertility program we used on fairways.  Historically, I relied on a lot of slow release fertility that fed the grass a little bit at a time.  The down side of this, is we would never get the flush of growth to make the turf denser.  Now, our program still consists of controlled release fertilizes but also two granular fertilizer applications; one in spring and another in fall.  Between those months, we increased the use of foliar fertilizers that are applied with a sprayer every 14 to 21 days.