January 7, 2021 Update

Since the rainy season is upon us, we would like to discuss the need to have carts on paths during certain periods this time of year. Soil Science 101 tells us soils are highly prone to compaction during wet periods. Compacted soils do not allow the proper air and water movement through the profile to allow viable growth. Due to the high amount of traffic on golf course playing surfaces (especially golf cars), compaction can become a serious issue inhibiting the ability to provide quality playing conditions. Along with compaction, the turfgrass is not able to recover as quickly as the summer months due to shorter days and cooler (soil temperatures) weather. It is essential we control the use of golf cars on the playing surfaces during the winter months.

Soil compaction caused by golf cars reduces the shoot growth rate and the recuperative potential of turfgrass. A good example would be if you parked your car in the same location in your home lawn every day, what would the condition of the turf be? Compaction reduces air and water porosity within the soil as well as water movement through the profile. Soil compaction can impact turf growth for several weeks and even months, resulting in the total loss of turf cover and chronic problems with poor drainage and the invasion of weeds that prefer compacted soils.

 We take soil tilth very seriously. Unfortunately, we must make decisions that are not always popular.  We have a very specific protocol in place based on the percentage of moisture in the ground below Field Capacity that we will continue to use. We are at a critical time for long term soil health due to the shortest days of the year. Hopefully, this enlightens you to the need.

Please feel free to e-mail me anytime you have an agronomy question. We are always looking for subjects to discuss in the blog, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Yours in turf,

Stacy L. Wallace, Golf Course Superintendent