How to produce the best playing surface for golf

Here are the key factors to consider in achieving the best golf course playing surface.

Ensure your greens are draining well – finding the day light where the greens drainage flows out is a great starting point. Ensure this is not clogged and able to flow freely. If you green drains below the water level you will need to consider adding a sump pump.

Moisture meter – this is a wonderful tool to take the guessing game out of irrigating. A POGO is a great tool, but if that is out of your price range you can use a simple hand held moisture meter for R250. These can be issued to all irrigation staff. I have found this to be a very useful tool for our team.

Wetting agents – this really does take your turf to a new level. A monthly application at low rates in the cooler months and higher rates in the heat allows you to hold moisture in the rootzone. Qualibra is a penetrant & polymer in one awesome product which allows you to move the moisture off the surface & into the rootzone.

Studies have shown this product to give you up to 21 % more moisture in the rootzone. I am blown away by our results at 4 litres/ha every month in the cooler month allowing you to build your rootzone & 10-20 litres/ha in the heat of summer.

Nutrition – this is a great time of year to take your soil samples if you have not done so yet and get them off to a reputable laboratory which we are fortunate to have in South Africa. We use Labserve in Nelspruit or Agri Science in the Western Cape.

Once you get these results we will gladly assist you to build a fertilizer programme which suites your plant & your budget. This is a value add Talking Turf offers to all our Syngenta clients. Your plant hates being on a roller coaster – consistent feeding is really important.

IPM – a sound intergrated pest management programme is critical to manage your pests in a sustainable manor. I have used the Syngenta turf product range since 1996 and I love the fact that you are able to target unwanted pests without affecting the bees, birds or fish.

We work with many golf clubs in Southern Africa to ensure they are applying right product at the right time. We have programmes for all the turf types in South Africa which we are constantly tweaking and improving. Your product choice & application timing & method are critical.

Having a sound IPM allows you to control your pests before the damage is visible to the eye, produce a better quality playing surface more cost effectively than fighting fires.

There is no greater thrill for us “Turfheads” than the reward for doing all the above.

Planning is a vital part of producing the end product.

This article was written by Sue de Zwart, Talking Turf and originally appeared in South Africa Golf Trader.