The average golf course is seventy-four acres. That is a lot of land to maintain. Part of golf’s fun is that all courses are unique. However, all golfers can probably agree on how well the golf course is maintained will impact their experience. Golf course maintenance can be complex as there are many aspects to consider and risks of falling behind on preventive care. Are your operations able to keep the course resources in good working condition? Every course manager is aware that this is not an easy task, so be sure you are not leaving anything out.
Here are 8 critical golf course maintenance tasks for course managers.
Remove Ball Marks
Removing ball marks daily is most likely already a top priority in golf course maintenance. When golf balls fall from the sky, they make an imprint or hole in the grass. If the turf is uneven, players will be misdirecting their putts. Having a predictable slope, speed, and putting surfaces are all important to the game. Each green should be inspected with a “ball mark repair tool” to remove all visible marks each day. This simple maintenance task goes such a long way in keeping members happy.
“The Big Three”
Firm fairways and fast greens are important to golfers, so clubs must prioritize maintenance routines for “The Big Three” of putting green perception: Firm, Slope, and Speed. The firmness, speed, and slope can be maintained with a Stimpmeter, TruFirm, and a digital level. The factors explained:
- A firm putting green allows the ball to go some distance after landing.
- A fast putting green helps balls roll freely.
- Slopes or gradients allow for varying difficulty levels.
Bunker Maintenance
Bunkers test a golfer’s ability to either play in the sand or avoid hitting the sand. They assist in the time it takes to meet the game’s skill, determination, and luck. Most players will attest that high-quality bunkers are vital to the game.
Bunkers can be maintained by creating multiple access points for motorized rakes for each bunker. Be sure that all bunkers are equipped with an adequate drainage system, and no water from other areas can enter them. Also, bunkers should be raked daily to remove footprints and to level the sand. Keep sand depth in the bunker between 4-6 inches. The turf around bunker edges should be mowed regularly.
Repair Divots
Often, players accidentally cut turf during golf strokes or by shuffling their feet. The severity of this damage will significantly depend on the number of club members and the course size. Low-traffic courses will not have much divot damage, while heavily-used courses will most likely require daily repairs. These repairs are important to player satisfaction, as divots are an eyesore and can ruin the game. The most influential divot fixes will be in the primary field of play, which is the tee box, the fairway, and the greens.
Involve Players
Most players would be happy to contribute to the golf course’s maintenance for the good of all. They may not be aware of how they can help or would like a friendly reminder. You can encourage club members to lighten the maintenance burden by keeping carts on assigned paths, raking sand traps, and fixing noticeable ball marks. Reminding the players to “do their part” by hanging signs, issuing member policies, and rewarding helpful behavior can go such a long way.
Golf Carts
Keeping the turf in good condition won’t matter without reliable vehicles. Golf cart maintenance is essential to offer an enjoyable golfing experience. Electric golf carts should be inspected about every week. Recommend golf carts maintenance tasks:
- Daily washes
- Daily full charge
- Regular battery recharge
- Regular tire pressure check
- Regular oil leak check
- Daily water coolant inspection
- Prompt repairs
Healthy Turf
All too often, water is wasted in efforts to keep turfs green. Do what you can to adopt a conservation water usage method. You can do this with an assessment and analysis, then follow through with an execution plan. It is helpful to evaluate the climate conditions on the course and consider potential weather changes to determine proper irrigation. This is helpful to adjust the irrigation schedules to conserve water while keeping turfs green.
Pest Control
Many golf facilities face turf loss due to pests. Weeds, insects, and funguses all contribute to unsightly turf loss, to name a few. Superintendents must follow a preventative approach to pest management. When all else fails, you can lean on Tee to Green Insurance to protect you from those inevitable mishaps that are inherent in golf course management.
About T2 Green Insurance
T2Green Insurance provides the best customized and comprehensive protection for your club, resort, or golf management business. Our niche expertise and sole focus is insuring this class, while our industry professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional results so that you can feel confident with your coverage. T2Green offers specialized coverage options that are unique in the industry. With our exclusive program unlike anything else on the market, you can feel peace of mind with protection that is tailored to your club’s unique needs. T2Green is driven by innovation and responsiveness in both coverage solutions and customer service. We understand the challenges that are presented in varying locations and seasons to write policies for clubs from coast to coast and everywhere in between so you can operate with confidence, no matter what conditions arise. Reach us at 844-223-9005 with any questions or so we can begin tailoring a package that works best for your club.
