As we reach the end of our rain season, our total to date is 28.35 inches. While this is down from the previous three years, the month of April brought us closer to annual average after a dry and warm March. We received 4.28 inches in April along with .63 of an inch the first week of May.
Based on recent observations of golf car usage, we would like to reiterate the importance of using the gate system for golf car traffic around tees and greens. Traffic tends to flow in the same area resulting in compaction and turf decline. The gate system allows us to move traffic around to alleviate this situation. We are seeing numerous golf cars entering before the entry stake and driving past the exit signs in the fairways. Please make sure you wait to enter after the stake and return to the cart path before the signs in the fairways so we can continue to disperse cart traffic without using unsightly ropes and stakes.
Golf car damage is broken down into two areas, Turf Injury and Soil Compaction.
- Turf injury is influenced by the speed of travel and the amount of stopping, starting, and turning. Leaf blades get bruised, and cells rupture especially with aggressive driving as shown in the picture below. After that wilt sets in as water is lost from the leaves, causing a loss of chlorophyll and cell death.
- The soil compaction caused by carts reduces shoot growth rate and the recuperative potential of turfgrass. Compaction reduces air and water porosity within the soil as well as water movement through the soil profile. Soil compaction can impact turf growth for weeks or months, resulting in total loss of turf cover and chronic problems with poor drainage and the invasion of weeds that prefer compacted soil conditions.
We thank you in advance for adhering to the gate system and doing your part in helping alleviate the damage golf cars cause to the turf plant and soil. It is only successful if everyone does their part.
Yours in turf,
Stacy L. Wallace, Golf Course Superintendent
Sonoma Agronomy 