TUR F T A L K
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One Tough Question Deserves Seven More CHRIS HARTWIGER, USGA Green Section
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t happens to us on almost every Turfgrass Advisory Visit we conduct. We have discussed everything from bunkers to birdies and trees to tee makers. And then we are hit with a seemingly innocuous question, “What do you think about our golf course?” THE QUESTION can be answered easily enough, but an easy answer may not be the most honest answer. We could say, “You are on the right track, keep up the good work” or “everything looks great.” However, these responses are just a pat on the back and after spending a half or a full day on a Turfgrass Advisory Visit, we believe there is a better way to answer this question. One of the most interesting aspects of golf is the unique nature of golf courses. No two are exactly alike. The factors that affect course conditions such as budget, environment, soil types, topography, etc all vary from course to course. Is it fair to say to the entry level golf course with a budget of $350,000 who asks THE QUESTION, “The layout is excellent, but the conditions could be much better if you doubled your staff, bought new equipment, etc.” To provide a thoughtful answer to THE QUESTION, we have developed some basic criteria that can apply to every golf course. The feedback from these questions provides incites into the course conditions and it identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the golf course. These questions identify a starting point for every course. Many courses may want to improve on these basics and they should feel free to spend whatever additional amount is available in search of improvements. Outlined below are the questions we ask in preparing an answer to THE QUESTION.
member can repaint over the lines without requiring any knowledge of The Rules of Golf. State and local golf associations can provide assistance with marking the golf course. 2. Does the golf course play the way the architect intended? Strategy is a key element of every architect’s plan when designing a golf course. Over time, the original design can be compromised by everything from well intentioned committees to the increased growth of trees vegetation on the course. If the par 3 8th hole plays as a dogleg today, the chances are good that the original design intent of the architect has been compromised. 3. Is daily setup varied without altering the integrity of the slope and course rating? While the tee markers and hole locations are moved frequently,
1. Can the course be played according to The Rules of Golf? Most of the courses we visit today are either incorrectly or incompletely marked. Therefore, it can be difficult to play according to The Rules of Golf. Use stakes to serve as a visual identifier to the golfers where hazards are. Use the appropriate color paint to mark the margins of the hazards. Once the course is properly marked, any maintenance staff
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TE N N ESSEE TUR F GR A SS A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 2
Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com