Course Update

We have applied our spring application of slow release fertiliser to all our greens recently and in conjunction with that have started our program of spraying plant growth regulators (PGR) on a regular basis. PGR's are used every 3-4 weeks during the growing season to reduce the vertical leaf growth of the Browntop bentgrass and develop a tighter, denser turf surface with more growth in the root system. The end result is we can keep the mowers at a slightly higher cutting height and still maintain a good green speed. With this program in place, the regular light dusting of sand on the greens and better control of our soil moisture levels I expect our greens to be firm, smooth and slightly more challenging than has been the case during previous years.

The tees have recently been fertilised and we will be applying PGR's to these areas on a regular basis also.

With the approval of the management committee areas of unmown rough around the course has been trialled to try to create a bit more character and interest into the style of the course. These areas are now starting to become apparent and will probably need at least a full season to develop. With our short, tight layout and narrow fairways, areas of longer, drier wispy rough should provide a nice contrast to the irrigated fairways and also provide a more challenging shot when hitting to a green.  Our sandy, undulating fairways are more reminiscent of links type golf as compared to the flat, tree lined, parkland's style of golf course. With the the management of soil moisture on fairways and greens and the areas of unmown rough, the aim is to get the course playing more in the traditional way where shot selection is varied with low, running shots used when the situation arises. In most situations a well struck mid to short iron landing on the green should hold hitting from fairways, but in most cases they should run through the green when hit from the rough. As I mentioned, this is a trial to make the course more interesting for all levels of golfers and I can already see benefits for the higher handicap players, and the challenges for the lower handicap players. The extra run on the fairways means the higher handicappers are able to reach the par 4's easier, while that makes it more difficult for the lower handicappers to (a) stay on the fairway and (b) hold the greens from a shorter distance.
I would be keen to hear from anyone who has an opinion(positive or negative) on this trial and hope that everyone understands that it will take at least a full season to evaluate how it is working out. Personally my aim is to make the golf course more fun and interesting to play(we are that type of golf club).