Controlled burns on the golf course February 2014 A Michigan superintendent shares his process for carrying out controlled burns of his course’s naturalized areas every spring, from developing a “burn plan” to supervising the blaze.
Golf course landscaping for fall October 2013 Color has an undeniable impact on golfers and the golfscape, and fall furnishes a dazzling palette all its own. A horticulturist offers insight on incorporating plants with fall appeal.
Creating a new practice facility at Lake Merced Golf Club September 2013 The team at a San Francisco-area club turned a forgotten part of the property into an additional practice area designed with ease of maintenance in mind.
Just rewards: Showing appreciation for your golf course crew September 2013 Superintendents share budget-friendly ideas plus strategies for garnering the funds for team recognition initiatives.
Preventing damage to golf course ornamentals July 2013 How you plant, prune and approach stressors can impact how injury-prone (and costly!) your course’s trees, shrubs and perennials are.
Turf equipment winterization and winter storage December 2012 Proper equipment prep for the chillier months will ensure machine longevity and allow for peace of mind come spring.
The fundamentals of frequency of clip November 2012 Adding this easy measurement to your toolbox can improve the quality of your turf — think increased ball roll without lowering height of cut — while cutting maintenance time and costs.
A tale of two golf course renovations October 2012 Neighboring Hawaiian resorts chose different but successful approaches to the dilemma of whether to close or stay open during major renovations.
Reel mowers: Scythe or scissors? July 2012 An equipment manager explores the mechanics of reel mowers in this lighthearted look at blades, angles, friction and the age-old question: Does the machine operate more like a scythe or a pair of scissors?
Productive performance reviews for golf course employees March 2012 A poorly executed employee review can have zero or even a negative impact on a staff member’s performance. Try these tips to conduct reviews that improve and retain your workforce.
Wildfires and golf courses: What superintendents should know October 2011 Weather conditions, vegetation, geography and several other factors influence how prone a course is to wildfire. Learn the basics and hear from supers who’ve been faced with flames.
Fire yourself! Tips for reinvigorating your golf course operation July 2011 Take this drastic (theoretical!) step to polish your processes and remake your management swing. A longtime superintendent shares advice for breaking out of familiar routines, motivating staff and more.
Vole control on the golf course January 2011 A wildlife management specialist lays out methods for outsmarting these covert critters and offsetting their damage to turf.
Renovation risk: In-house or contractor? August 2010 An in-house renovation can make you the hero or the fall guy. Golf course superintendents and builders weigh in.
Winter turf damage and turf covers: A guide March 2010 Is it crown hydration or anoxia? Would a permeable or impermeable cover be best? Match injury to defense and get more know-how on seeing turf through winter.
Winter turf damage: The green in the bubble September 2009 A grounds crew got creative to revive a winter-decimated green in just days. Here’s how they devised the structure that produced the remarkable results.
13 tips for better putting green collars June 2009 Collars tend to take a beating for the sake of putting surface playability. A turf consultant offers recommendations for curbing collar decline and improving appearance.
This or that? Turfgrass aerification decisions May 2009 Deep vs. shallow tines? A preventive vs. curative approach? A turfgrass consultant advises on which choices are wisest when it comes to countering soil compaction.
Maintaining golf course naturalized areas May 2009 Don’t confuse going natural with letting nature take over. Here’s how to choose plants for naturalized areas, schedule maintenance and properly employ herbicides.
Strengthen your workforce through mentoring August 2007 Hang on to the hard-won knowledge of veteran employees while invigorating your next generation of staff — that’s the magic of mentoring.