Golf Lessons

Golfers are choosy when it comes to the golf courses they play.

They don't like playing courses where the greens are just punched, which is why green keepers implement a lot of methods to ensure expert care of the greens.

There are many problems that can crop up in around the greens. One important element in keeping a good green is drainage. This is a vital part of maintaining the green properly, especially during rainy seasons.

A base layer to maintain the shape of the green is required. Drainage should be made up of crushed stones, a layer of sand, PVC pipes, and at least 13 to 14 inches of cheaper sand with peat for the root zone layer.

Sprinklers should be available including bunkers. A more expensive part, which is the sod, is needed also for the surrounding area.

The labor required to provide proper maintenance for the greens isn't for golf course owners who don't like to cut the grass more than once a week. The hard part of the work is preventing turf grass problems and being vigilant on how to maintain it well. The grass should be cut every two to three days or everyday if there are golfers who play on the greens everyday. There's also other work that demands more time and cost such as aeration, fertilization, putting herbicides, top dressing, putting fungicides and/or pesticides. Here's a list of some methods and time frame needed to take care of a golf course's greens. Care for Greens Activity and Scheduling Irrigation: 1 - 3 days interval Mowing: 1 - 3 days interval Top dressing: 3 to 6 times a year Aeration: Once a year Pesticide: Only when it's needed Herbicide: Only when it's needed        Fungicide: Once a month Fertilization: Once a month The types of grass used are either the creeping Bentgrass or Bermuda grass. Bentgrass is considered by golf course owners in areas where the climate is moderate to cool while Bermuda is the type of turf recommended in tropical or sunny temperatures. Bentgrass is easier to grow and provides an income for a greenskeeper. Using Bermuda in hot climates makes it more costly. The techniques used in maintaining the two kinds of grass are the same, the only difference is that it would be difficult to use Bentgrass in places that are tropical since it's hard to keep it moist. Only 22% of American golf course owners use Bermuda while 78% prefer Bentgrass. Here are the list of places and the turf type they use according to a survey made by GCSAA. US State: Bentgrass/Bermuda grass Alabama: 19/81 Arizona: 59/41 Arkansas: 60/40 California: 86/14 Florida: 2/98 Georgia: 49/51 Louisiana: 2/98 Mississippi: 9/90 Nevada: 93/7 Oklahoma: 90/10 North Carolina: 67/33 South Carolina: 14/86 Tennessee: 65/35 Texas: 50/50 All course owners in Hawai use Bermuda grass while all the other US states use Bentgrass. southeast Texas uses Bermuda while Bent is used in Northwest Texas. Standard mowers, preferably the rotary types, are needed since the greens should be rolled and cut to a height of 4/16 inches. Others are still considering synthetic grass rather than Bentgrass for the golf course. Although synthetic grasses can be cheaper, some golfers may not like the idea. Here are the pros and cons of each type of grass: Type of Greens: Pros vs. Cons Real bent grass 1. Maintenance can be a hobby but skills and training are needed 2. More pleasing and attractive but can be time consuming 3. Whole locations can be changed but costly grass mowers are needed 4. Grows fast and cheaper than seeds but irrigation is needed Fake grass         1. Maintenance isn't needed but concrete holes are permanent 2. May look real during playing but can be discovered as fake by expert golfers 3. Can take any weather condition but more expensive than real bent grass seeds 4. Worry free maintenance but requires labor fees for installation

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