It is often observed by the industry that some people think Golf Course Management is easy. Some people are simply happy to be on the golf course and enjoy their game, while others, unfortunately, prefer to be more critical and focus on perceived flaws in their golfing experience. Expectations regarding course quality have been steadily rising for years. Technological advances over previous decades and steady investment in all aspects of course maintenance created a greenkeeping ‘golden age’, particularly regarding insecticide and fungicide availability and use.
There needs to be more in the press regarding the direct impact of pesticide restrictions on playing surfaces, manifested by uncontrollable worm casting, mud and crow pecking disturbance, in the rightful effort to protect water sources from chemical contamination. Disease management is becoming harder and scarred surfaces may become more common, it looks increasingly likely that there will be a complete fungicide ban at some stage. While some may think the products will still be available from alternative sources, this view is environmentally irresponsible and the directors of any organisation found infringing regulations are ultimately accountable by law.
Machinery technology continues to advance at a phenomenal pace with GPS location, robotic control and AI, fully autonomous mowers and sprayers are no longer dreams of the future. Unlike the physical restrictions in chemical use, the limitation we will see in this aspect is affordability.
Golf clubs need to review spending and optimise income now as much as they ever have. Everything is costing more and every aspect of a golf club's costs are worth reviewing, like it or not.
The climate is changing! There is plenty of data to prove this (Mark Hunt 😊). Those who have worked outside have been feeling it for many seasons and as the winters become milder and wetter more golfers are feeling it too. I used to listen to the golfing generation of the 50s-60s that golf was not really a winter sport in that era. However, milder weather and better winter clothing has increased the enthusiasm for winter golf. Grass in the UK will not yet grow with vigor through the winter (new cultivars are coming) and the incredible amount of rainfall combined with reduced turf resistance is increasing the frustration of course closures and restrictions, particularly on poor draining clay-based courses. More drainage is often required at a considerable cost.
As courses become wetter in the winter, we also face water use restrictions in the summer with the increased risk that water companies will stop water use on any area that is not essential for life. Water harvesting and storage is a hot topic and ensuring irrigation systems use water efficiently is as important as ever. Irritech Limited is a leading consultancy that supports clubs regarding future sustainable water use and irrigation technology.
Being passionate about greenkeeping myself, loving it since my first day working on a golf course in 1993, it seems incredible that we find ourselves struggling as an industry to entice the next generation of greenkeepers into the industry. The reasons for this are subject matter for another article, maybe some are covered here? however, the implications are real for Course Managers who are finding it very difficult to recruit enough high-quality, dedicated and passionate staff.
Some would agree that golf course management is becoming increasingly complex with a range of options, pressures and constraints many of which are beyond control. Modern life where everything is more accessible (amazon will offer pretty much any item you desire with next-day delivery) is a possible cause for the shift in mentality with some golfers demanding the highest quality product at all times. When dealing with the living nature of turf, patience, care and a nurturing understanding is often required.
Golf Course Management Services was established 3 years ago and draws on decades of course management experience with the mantra “Empowering Golf Course Managers” supporting, brainstorming, reviewing, and easing workloads and some of the pressures on Course Managers.
We are here to help, support and enhance golf courses.
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