Bunkers

Continuing the theme of improvement I recently reviewed some of our maintenance programs focusing on preparation for play weekday competitions as a result of a combination of member feedback, increasing expectations and re allocating certain tasks, the review will see an increase in the amount of hours per week spent on bunker maintenance for preparation for play.Please note this is only maintenance for the preparation for play, debris removal, smoothing faces and raking, it does not include the periodical Bunker maintenance of Edging (4 to 5 weekly), leveling , sand replenishment (alternate annual) or refurbishment.


Interestingly it means we now spend more time preparing a hazard for play than we do our most important surface greens. Makes you wonder where priorities should "lie".

 Removal of debris is an increasing issue namely from leaf drop of nearby trees and wind.
 We try not to disturb bunker faces as much as possible to allow for a firm consolidated face the ball can hit and roll to the base.
Unfortunately roos and some players have other ideas walking / disturbing the sand on faces, requiring to smooth and consolidate again, regardless areas disturbed will then remain softer than non disturbed areas meaning they are more at risk of plugged lies.

Finally we blow the debris further away from the bunkers and machine rake the base. 

 Doesnt stay like this long
 
Please see links below for some interesting articles from the USGA  on Bunker maintenance and expectations.
http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/forethegolfer/2017/maintaining-bunkers-for-playability--not-perfection.html

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/regional-updates/west-region/2017/five-reasons-why-bunkers-are-not-consistent.html

Till Next time don't get Sandwedged !!!



Popular posts from this blog

Saltene and Couch Grass

Image
I thought I would talk about this subject instead of what has been run of the mill course work updates lately, nothing like a bit of variety to keep it fresh... It is this time of year (summer if you didn't know better) the couch and saltene in the greens become more visible and start to out compete the bent grass. If you have been good students and followed the turf 101's on this blog you would know Bent is a cool season grass preferring cooler temps, Couch and Saltene both warm season grasses preferring hotter temps for optimum growth. So what happens when the two compete against each other year round ?   During the cooler months,  April through October the Bent grass out competes the Couch and Saltene, the Couch and Saltene are still there just not as pronounced as during the warmer months, thanks to their vigorous rhizomes even tho the bent has control of the top, the couch and saltene are waiting to pounce when warmer temps arrive due to their extensive rhizome syste
Read more

Hydraulic Oil Leak

Image
Over the weekend we had a Hydraulic Oil leak under the mower when mowing greens, unfortunately as it was pre-dawn mowing with a heavy dew, the operator only detected it when the sun came up after he was halfway through.   Of 13 greens mowed, 8 are effected of which 4 are cause for the most concern. Wishful thinking, I am wondering, and will find out soon enough, with the greens renovations only just completed whether the vigorous growth we have encourage to recover from Reno's and the higher cut we were mowing at will lessen the impact and we may be able to cut out most of it....Experience tells me IT IS wishful thinking. With this type of oil leak, it isn't so much the oil but the temperature of the oil that causes most of the damage, instantly killing the grass it contacts. We have applied Activated Charcoal, and a dilute detergent to deactivate and dilute the oil, there isn't much more we can do I am afraid.  We have sanded the 15th to see if that helps, unfo
Read more

Fairways, Saltine and Merry...Xmas

Image
The front 9  fairway renovation went well with strong growth occurring, alleviating some compaction and more importantly allowing the gases exchange from the root-zone,  this should hold them in good position for summer. You would have noticed the yellowing saltine in the greens I have taken advantage of the mild weather conditions being more aggressive with measures for Saltine and Crab grass in the greens than previous years. The Saltine will stand out more so than normal as it discolours with the herbicide effect, as a result it may appear there is more than usual in the greens, there isn't it just seems that way with the discolouration making it stand out more. Unfortunately due to the vigorous nature of the grass, control measures are more for   suppression and long term control than immediate eradication. Further due to the high risks of photo-toxicity to the bent grass in warmer weather, product applications are ceased during summer. The initial treatment a
Read more