February Golf Diary 2011
After the prolonged snow cover and severe frost of December, January was a much quieter month with near average temperatures and rainfall for most, albeit lacking in sunshine.
Frosted mornings were more in evidence during the second half of the month, which was cold and dry, and it gave everyone the opportunity to catch-up on winter routines such as aeration that were unable to be carried out previously.
For many, it was also the first time any grass had been cut or rolled for over a month. After a wet start to the month, the latter half proved more productive and work on the course was largely unrestricted. Disease attack was perhaps the biggest fear after the snow melted and the ground thawed out, and it was a relief to many that fine turfed areas were largely unaffected.
Where this was not the case, and disease activity was evident, then an application of a contact fungicide was an essential priority.
Laurence Pithie MG
Turf Master One Ltd
www.turfmasterone.co.uk
| Early in the Month | 1st - 15th February |
With February being the last of the 'real' winter months, it is anyone's guess which way it can turn. Most Februaries, as of late, have generally been milder than average, although in 2009 snow cover lasted for a week. However, snow cover for any length of time in February is rare but, with average temperatures of only 3° Celsius, there will be little or no growth.
Hours of sunlight become marginally better and daylight gradually extends to nearer 6.00pm by the end of the month, at least in the southern half of the UK.
Only twice in the last decade has there been significant rainfall, which equates to a 1 in 5 chance.
Continue with the daily routine of work, mowing swards to maintain any growth, aeration of greens, tees and fairways.
Change hole and tee marker positions regularly to spread wear.
Regulate golf traffic around tees and approaches to prevent excess wear.
| Later in the Month | 16th February - onwards |
There may be the first signs of growth, more so in the south of England if milder temperatures prevail, but this may be short lived as cold easterly winds take hold.
Courses can often take on a 'bleached' appearance following many days of these conditions and sub-zero temperatures. This is often typical for this time of year when the turf has used up much of its energy reserves.
Therefore, the message is 'tread warily or lightly' and avoid causing undue mechanical damage to the turf wherever possible.
When soil temperatures have got consistently above five degrees Centigrade, you can then start to apply some growth promoters (spring fertilisers) to feed the sward to improve vigour and colour.
February -early March also sees the opportunity to finish off any winter projects; tees / green / bunkers constructions.
Greens:- Plant growth will enter February in a dormant state and likely to remain that way for much of the month. However, there may be circumstances where there have been sufficient milder days for slight signs of growth as day time temperatures rise. In these circumstances, and after probable leaching of nutrients in previous winter months, a light 'turf tonic' can do wonders for surface condition and presentation.
This involves applying a small amount of Nitrogen, Potassium and Iron, possibly mixed with amendments such as seaweed and humic acids. This should be more of a 'trickle' feed to meet the plant's needs, since a number of colder days and overnight frosts will inevitably continue for several weeks to come. With February generally being a drier month, there should be several opportunities to aerify the greens at varying depth and to give the surfaces a very light dusting of sand dressing.
The risk of Fusarium disease should be reduced but if mild and wet conditions prevail, then be prepared to act accordingly with a contact fungicide. Mowing should continue as per January, ie cut and roll at 5mm or higher to clean and smooth the surface as opposed to removing grass. Should problem areas arise due to poor draining hollows, surface algae, black layer and so on, look at methods to alleviate these conditions. Most are likely to relate to surface drainage problems, therefore checking the drains and then ensuring that water reaches the drains are the key requirements.
Intensified aerification of such areas, followed by the addition of sand and an amendment such as Axis, will help to dry the surface and allow greater air space within the rootzone. The objectives are simple, namely to maintain firm, dry and free draining surfaces with good levels of light and air movement. In other words, get the basics right and use modern equipment and availability of new products to assist in producing good turf quality.
Tees:- If tees are being rested then fine, little needs to be done other than a trim and tidy and refilling washed out divot holes. Tees that are in use, or possibly sand based tees that show a loss of vigour and colour through leaching of nutrients, can be lightly fertilised, supplying mainly N & K but only if temperatures are around 6° Celsius.
The aim is to provide firm, dry and level surfaces with sufficient cover of a tight knit grass sward. When conditions are favourable, windows of opportunity should be taken to achieve this objective. Aeration and possible sanding may be required, along with any additional worm control. Avoid cutting too low at this time of year since, it will only add to the risk of moss invasion.
February is usually the last month to tackle any last minute re-levelling requirements, so ensure that any renovation work is completed by the end of the month, to avoid turf from shrinking and drying out while irrigation systems remain shut down for the winter. This is also the last month to remove markers and signage for cleaning and repainting.
Useful Information for Greens and Tees
| Articles | Products | ||
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Winter Play Revisited |
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Grass Seeds |
Surrounds:- With virtually no growth and zero recovery from any resultant wear, it is essential that the emphasis remains on traffic control measures, sand dressing and possibly some aerification work if ground conditions are favourable. A second application of Carbendazim for worm control may be necessary, but this is likely to have been applied earlier. Apart from any last minute turf repairs or drainage work, this should be a quiet month for this part of the course unless there are particular problems to overcome.
Fairways:- February is often a key month for deep tine aeration if ground conditions are favourable. As stated in the previous month, operating a deep tiner with varying degrees of 'heave' will prove beneficial for removing surface water and to maximise air movement through the soil.
If slitting is the desired option, then be aware of cold drying winds opening the surface, particularly on exposed courses on the east side of the UK. As with surrounds, this is really the last month for any late winter turf repairs or small drainage projects, if the turf is to 'settle-in' prior to the start of the season.
By this time of year, any problem areas will have been identified, therefore work should be based on priorities, taking into consideration available funding and resources. Mowing should still continue but only to clean and 'mark' the fairways for presentation. See last month's comment on a winter 'green-up' turf tonic.
Useful Information for Surrounds and Fairways
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Not as daft as a brush ... |
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Tractor Mounted Aerators |
Any renovation or drainage work to bunkers should be nearing completion by the end of the month, especially if turfing of banks are involved. Apart from any major work, February is a good month to start work on trimming, edging, cleaning and sanding of bunkers in readiness for the new season.
This gives new or additional sand time to 'bed-in', thus avoiding typical member complaints of fluffy lies or balls plugged on the face. After 'Green Speed', bunkers are usually the main issue for member dissatisfaction, therefore planned maintenance work in this area is essential and it is work that needs to be completed to a satisfactory standard.
With a high level of importance being attached to bunker playability and presentation, this aspect needs to be part of a club's overall policy and any work should form part of a rolling plan of improvements that is fully documented.
Useful Information for Bunkers
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Are Your Bunkers up to Scratch? |
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Sand & Soils |
More a continuation of that commented on before, and the need to keep ditches clear from debris and overhanging branches to ensure good water flow. Some may need to be trimmed with a mechanical digger bucket every few years, and this work is ideally suited for this time of year as long as ground conditions are suitable.
Paths: February is probably the last month of just topping up pot-holes, edging and scraping of surfaces as part of an on-going winter maintenance plan. Next month, and when courses generally become drier, is the time when re-surfacing work comes more to the fore as the risk of wash-outs and heavy rain become less.
Traffic control measures should continue where it is necessary to divert traffic away from main or wet lying areas. These alternative routes are good practice during winter, whereby they help to protect the main play areas during the 'off-season'.
Useful Information for Lakes/Ponds/Ditches
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Pond life |
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Aquatic Algae Control |
With February usually being a drier month, there is often an opportunity to 'catch-up' with unfinished projects and for these to be nearing completion by the end of the month. Early morning frosts are ideal for moving bulk materials, whereas the afternoons can prove more favourable for turfing work.
Tees, bunkers, ditch work and 'localised' drainage work are the most common small projects on golf courses, largely to address current issues. Once again, it is important to record and then communicate such work to the club via newsletters, reports and so on, in order to keep golfers up to date with what is happening on their course. Before, during and after photographs is good PR work.
Useful Information for Renovation Projects
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Greens, Tees…and Roofs? |
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Soil Analysis |
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Disease: Pressure from disease risk is likely to be low to moderate at this time of year, but much will depend on the prevailing weather conditions. Depleted nutrient content in the soil will be fairly common to many courses after the leaching of plant nutrients, therefore turf vigour will be low. This in turn can lead to Fusarium, but generally unlikely. Following prolonged snow cover, snow mold could be a problem but, again, this is rather unlikely and difficult to predict. Last month's article covered this aspect in more detail.
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Pests: Only earthworms are likely to be a nuisance to some areas of the course during February, therefore control from Carbendazim will be required. Since this is more than likely to be a second application at this late stage of the season, it should only be applied if really necessary since the likely impending drier conditions will favour a decline in worm casting.
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Turf Disorders: Apart from previous comments regarding algae and black layer, moss could well be troublesome in many areas. With low levels of light and plant nutrients, the grass loses its competitive edge against moss, perhaps more so on sand based rootzones. It is too early in the season to be aggressive against moss, therefore better to aerify, feed lightly and apply a little Sulphate of Iron to discourage its spread and encourage grass growth. Best to avoid over-feeding, since once temperatures and day light are on the rise, the pendulum swings in favour of grass growth. It is again another example of getting the basics right in the first place.
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Equipment: See previous article regarding cleaning and maintenance of equipment. Suffice to say that all major overhauls, servicing and sharpening of equipment should be nearing completion and all such work recorded in a system of service records and wipe board information.
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Compound: If not already started, then this should be the ideal time to operate the 'new broom' strategy with the aim of starting afresh. This means a thorough clean-up and re-organisation of all internal and external areas of buildings and compound. Staff room, toilet and wash areas will probably require a deep clean, then a re-paint during days when the weather is less ideal for external work. This work can be completed quickly and once again gives a sense of pride and achievement of a job well done. Tidy compound, tidy course!
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Staff: February is also an ideal time to catch-up with training staff on some items of equipment and work projects, and to bring these records of achievement up to date in the training manual or log book. Another essential requirement is to complete staff appraisals. This is an ideal opportunity to let them know how they are performing and what direction and help each employee needs in order to develop their own careers. This is a two-way process, whereby each staff member expresses his/her comments and desires on what is important for their well-being and personal development. It is also worth remembering that labour costs amount to around 2/3rds of a typical maintenance budget, therefore spending time in this area is sound management.
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