Weathering the storm: climate change and course management

How Kendal Golf Club’s David ‘Dickie’ Davies is preparing for golf’s changing climate.

Perched high above the market town of Kendal, with sweeping views across the Lakeland landscape, Kendal Golf Club enjoys one of the most striking settings in Cumbria. But while the scenery may appear timeless, the challenges facing Head Greenkeeper David ‘Dickie’ Davies are changing faster than ever.

Like greenkeepers across the UK, Dickie has spent recent years navigating increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Prolonged droughts, intense rainfall, shifting growing seasons and evolving pest pressures have all become part of the modern greenkeeper’s workload.

For Dickie, success is no longer simply about producing quality playing surfaces. It’s about understanding how the environment is changing and adapting the golf course to meet those challenges head-on.

Left to right: Assistant Greenkeeper Roger Cairns, Head Greenkeeper David ‘Dickie’ Davies and Assistant Greenkeeper Travis Chaplow.

Living with extremes

Recent seasons have delivered a stark reminder of just how quickly conditions can swing from one extreme to another.

Extended periods of hot, dry weather have become an increasingly familiar feature of the growing season, placing significant stress on turf surfaces - particularly on areas with shallower rooting and lower moisture retention.

“We focus on preserving turf health rather than simply maintaining appearance,” explains Dickie.

That approach underpins Kendal’s response during drought conditions. Soil moisture levels are monitored closely, irrigation is applied strategically, and wetting agents are used to improve water infiltration and retention. During heatwaves, cutting heights are adjusted to reduce plant stress and help maintain turf quality.

While firm, fast-running surfaces are often popular with golfers, prolonged dry conditions can lead to turf thinning, reduced recovery from wear and increased pressure on already stressed areas. To combat this, maintenance programmes now place greater emphasis on targeted irrigation, strategic aeration and the introduction of more resilient grass species.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, periods of intense rainfall bring a different challenge altogether.

Although Kendal’s elevated location offers natural drainage advantages, increasingly heavy rainfall events can quickly put even the best-prepared courses under pressure.

“The aim is always to strike a balance between keeping the course open for members and visitors whilst protecting the long-term health of the playing surfaces,” says Dickie.

Regular aeration, careful traffic management and constant monitoring help minimise disruption during wet periods, but as weather patterns become more extreme, adaptability is proving just as important as investment in infrastructure.

A growing season with no rulebook

At nearly 200 metres above sea level, Kendal Golf Club has always experienced its own unique microclimate. However, Dickie believes recent years have brought a noticeable change in seasonal consistency.

Cold easterly winds and late frosts can delay spring growth, while drought conditions can be followed almost immediately by periods of excessive rainfall. The result is a growing season that no longer follows the traditional calendar.

The 8th bunker sorted out early 2026.

Rather than working to fixed dates, key operations such as aeration, topdressing, fertiliser applications and overseeding are increasingly determined by soil temperatures, moisture levels and detailed weather forecasts.

“Flexibility and adaptability are becoming increasingly important parts of modern golf course management,” he says.

It’s an approach that runs through every aspect of Kendal’s agronomic programme, with a strong focus on building long-term resilience rather than chasing short-term gains.

Choosing grasses fit for the future

Climate pressures are also influencing decisions about turf species.

Like many golf courses, Kendal continues to manage significant populations of annual meadow grass (Poa annua), a species that can struggle during periods of heat and drought stress.

By contrast, fine fescues and browntop bent grasses have repeatedly demonstrated greater resilience, requiring fewer inputs whilst maintaining excellent playing characteristics.

For Dickie, encouraging these finer grasses is a key part of the club’s long-term sustainability strategy.

“It’s a gradual process, but promoting drought-tolerant species helps reduce reliance on irrigation and creates surfaces that are better equipped to cope with both dry and wet extremes.”

It’s a transition being mirrored across the industry as more courses seek lower-input, environmentally sustainable management practices.

Volunteers hard at chipping brash from the left side of the 10th. Without the volunteers so much work would go undone!

The balancing act: playability versus protection

One of the biggest challenges facing any greenkeeper is balancing golfer expectations with the long-term health of the turf.

At Kendal, protecting the plant often takes priority over short-term aesthetics. During dry spells, the focus shifts to preserving turf resilience. In wet conditions, preventing damage to vulnerable areas becomes the main objective.

That can mean temporary traffic restrictions, revised course routing or limits on buggy access. While such measures can be unpopular in the short term, Dickie believes communication is essential.

By explaining why decisions are being made and highlighting their long-term benefits, the club has generally enjoyed strong support from members.

“The aim is always to present the best possible playing surfaces whilst ensuring the turf remains healthy and sustainable throughout the season and beyond.”

Managing pests in a post-chemistry era

Like many greenkeepers, Dickie continues to face ongoing challenges from leatherjackets and chafer grubs, problems that have become more difficult to manage following the loss of many traditional chemical control options.

The damage is often intensified by birds and mammals digging for larvae beneath the surface.

As a result, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) sits at the centre of Kendal’s strategy.

Regular monitoring helps identify pressure before significant damage occurs, while balanced nutrition, effective aeration and sound soil management strengthen the turf’s ability to recover.

Cultural controls also play a crucial role. Thatch management, drainage improvements and moisture control all help create conditions that are less favourable for pest development.

“There is no longer a simple silver-bullet solution,” says Dickie. “Success comes from combining a range of management practices.”

Technology supporting smarter decisions

As environmental pressures increase, technology is becoming an indispensable part of modern course management.

Moisture meters now play a central role in irrigation planning at Kendal, providing valuable data across greens, tees and key fairway areas.

Detailed forecasting is equally important, helping the team anticipate stress events and schedule maintenance proactively rather than reactively.

Combined with on-course observations and growth data, this information allows for more informed agronomic decisions, improving consistency whilst helping to reduce unnecessary inputs.

Building a sustainable future

Sustainability now sits at the heart of Kendal Golf Club’s long-term strategy. Alongside efforts to encourage finer grasses, the club continues to invest in soil health, drainage and water-management improvements. Biodiversity also remains a key focus, with woodland, rough grassland and natural habitats contributing to a richer ecosystem around the course.

Fertiliser programmes, plant protection strategies and fuel consumption are continually reviewed to identify efficiencies without compromising playing standards.

Looking ahead

Ask Dickie what the greatest challenge facing greenkeepers over the next decade will be and his answer is immediate: adaptation.

Climate change is already reshaping golf course management. Longer dry periods, more intense rainfall, milder winters and increasingly volatile weather patterns are placing pressure on turf surfaces, resources and budgets alike.

Added to this are tightening regulations, rising golfer expectations and the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining skilled greenkeeping professionals.

For Dickie, the future belongs to those willing to evolve. “Ultimately, the challenge will be balancing sustainability, playability and financial viability.”

It’s a challenge facing every golf course in the country. Yet high on the Cumbrian fells, Kendal Golf Club is proving that with sound agronomy, careful planning and a willingness to adapt, golf can continue to thrive in a changing climate.