Regional Updates- West Updates from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Trends in the golf industry are beginning to have a very positive impact on turf health, pace of play and the communities that neighbor golf courses. Jumping on board with just a few of these trends can also improve playing conditions and attract golfers.

As the baseball season gets underway, it is time for bermudagrass to step up to the plate. These five proactive management strategies will help it avoid striking out during another spring transition in the desert southwest. 

Salinity damage on Poa annua putting greens can sneak up on you. Even though it’s early spring, it is never too early to start monitoring salts in the soil. Proactively monitoring salts will ensure there are no surprises.

While some topics are unapproachable, the approaches in front of greens need to be wide open for discussion. With another golf season just around the corner, consider the approaches. Addressing a few of these issues can improve play for everyone.

A clean, well-kept maintenance facility goes a long way to improve employee morale and lengthen the lifespan of turf maintenance equipment. Addressing some of these areas of a maintenance facility may even go as far as to help improve course conditions.

In addition to creating a variety of shot options, low-cut approach areas around putting greens can improve bermudagrass transition in spring.

Demonstrations are a fundamental way to evaluate how well new products or programs will perform at a particular golf course. The results from small-scale tests will help determine if changing the maintenance program is worth the investment.

Although it is only the second day of February and overseeded ryegrass is about to look its best, it is time to start encouraging the understory bermudagrass. Here are five strategies that will ease the transition.

It’s easy to overlook turfgrass water needs during winter. Here are three reasons to monitor soil moisture while everyone is waiting for the winter rainy season to start.

Ten years ago, the first of many New Year’s resolutions for golfers was published. Have golfers taken these suggestions to heart and, in doing so, helped improve conditions at the courses they play? There’s only one way to find out.

Operating aeration equipment close to fairway sprinklers without hitting them has always been a challenge. See how one course in California resolved this issue with some simple modifications.

Maintenance equipment is expensive. Communicating to decision-makers the savings and improvements to playing conditions associated with investing in updated equipment can help justify capital expenditures.

Having fun is critical to the survival of the game. While there are many ways to make golf fun, here are a few creative ideas that an eastern Oregon golf course uses to make golf memorable and fun.

Fall is the perfect time to establish a Poa annua and bentgrass putting green nursery using the cores generated during aeration. Although this may be an unfamiliar practice, these eight easy steps will guide you toward success.

Researchers at the Turfgrass and Landscape Research Field Day at the University of California, Riverside, presented these updates on projects focusing on drought tolerance and improving winter color retention.

Shade and limited air movement create major issues when trees are too close to turf; but have you ever considered issues caused by the roots? Here are three ways tree roots severely impact a golf course.

The recent heat wave across much of the West Region is taking its toll on Poa annua putting greens. Here are five strategies that can help cool-season putting greens survive hot summer temperatures.

If bermudagrass fairways, approaches and roughs have not received aggressive dethatching by mid-August, time is running short to employ this important practice – here are a few techniques to consider. 

Hot, humid weather is tough on golf courses that overseed bermudagrass every winter. Learn how courses are restoring turf coverage and playability in failing ryegrass areas.

GPS-guided sprayers have long been used in agriculture and are becoming increasingly popular in the golf industry. Discover how one golf course in Canada is using technology to reduce inputs while providing high-quality playing conditions.

Golf courses are dynamic and sometimes issues can arise that affect playing conditions. Solving golf course issues requires a holistic approach and a view of the big picture – here’s how the USGA can help.

Have you ever mishit a bunker shot from compacted sand, found your ball buried in a bunker face, or been frustrated when your ball comes to rest in wet sand? Most golfers know that not all bunkers play the same, but do you know why?

Here’s how one Southern California golf course hosted local third-graders for a First Green field trip. They demonstrated the many ways that science, technology, engineering and math are involved in golf course maintenance.

Mowing extremely wet rough areas is a challenge that many golf courses face following rainy weather. Combining two standard pieces of maintenance equipment offers a creative solution to this problem.

Spring is in full swing in the West Region and so are the aerators and vertical mowers. These maintenance practices are critical to providing good playability in the summer days ahead.

Golfers of all skill levels may notice that some putting greens play differently in the afternoon than they do in the morning — here are eight reasons why.

Superintendents can talk maintenance programs all day long, but sometimes seeing is believing. Demonstrating essential practices helps golfers and decision-makers better understand maintenance activities.

The 2017 North American Golf Innovation Symposium was recently held in Vancouver, British Columbia. Learn how innovation and technology can improve the golfer experience while reducing critical resources. 

Struggling with desiccation damage during winter? The staff at one Denver-area golf course uses this creative and effective method to defend turf from winter’s harsh winds and low humidity. 

Although liquid fertilizers can provide consistent, controlled growth and color, your turf may not be reaching its full potential if granular fertilizers are absent from your fertility program.

Itching to dust off your clubs and play golf? Just remember, winter isn’t over. Whether you live in a cold or warm climate, these weather-related issues may still affect course accessibility.

Golfers have a tremendous impact on putting surfaces. Make sure your impact is positive by following these simple resolutions that will improve every player’s golfing experience.

Winter brings long nights and cold temperatures. In many locations, turf growth slows, or stops altogether, allowing time to reflect and plan next year's management strategy.

The holiday season is upon us and many superintendents are submitting equipment wish lists to improve the quality and efficiency of the maintenance operation. Consider adding these equipment ideas to your list for the 2017 season.

New golf course construction and renovation have been at a virtual standstill. While new construction remains relatively stagnant, recent visits show this trend in golf course renovation.

Learn five ways golf courses are minimizing the damage caused by coots.

Working safely and effectively in low-light conditions can be difficult. Thankfully, advances in lighting technology can bring an abundance of light to any golf course task.

Do you see puffy, scalped turf during the summer? It may be a sign of nitrogen in your irrigation water. Discover how to determine the amount of nitrogen your turf receives from irrigation.

Three reasons why golfers think greens are wet when they really aren’t.

The USGA Stimpmeter® measures putting green speed and provides information about putting surface smoothness and the effects of putting green management programs.

Golf courses are taking positive steps to improve conditions and playability. While each golf course has specific needs, every golf course can benefit from these three considerations.

Here is one method, used by a golf course in the Southwest, that accomplishes an entire year’s worth of aeration in one streamlined operation.

These five facts about water management can help keep your greens healthy and playable.

Turfgrass reduction is the new normal in many areas of the West Region, but the question remains, what should go in its place? 

Damage to putting green mowers from sand topdressing is a common problem. Here is one method that reduces stress on mowers and mechanics.

As the weather in the Southwest gets hotter, golf course superintendents and their staffs are preparing to perform aggressive cultural practices on warm-season grasses.

The best time to play golf also happens to be the best time to aerate greens and perform other important maintenance practices. Calabasas Country Club has found a way to do both without compromising quality.

The nitrogen in recycled irrigation water can over-stimulate turf growth. Should you adjust your fertility program when using recycled water?

Seashore paspalum is becoming more commonly accepted on Hawaiian golf courses. However, bermudagrass is showing its competitive nature on courses established to seashore paspalum.

A golf course in southern Arizona was able to provide substantially better playing conditions and aesthetics during the primary revenue season by doing the unthinkable – not overseeding.

Playing conditions are off to a good start, but warm temperatures and timely rainfall throughout the West Region have accelerated turf growth. Here is what you can expect whether you are in Southern California, the Intermountain Region or the Pacific Northwest.

Snow is melting across the inter-mountain west. Areas treated with preventative fungicides are in great condition and ready for play this spring.

Until recently, mowing putting greens has required a precise mower and operator. Improvements in robotic mowers may signal the beginning of a major change in how putting greens and bunkers are prepared on a daily basis.

Rebuilding a chronically poor-performing green may seem like the logical answer, but a closer look may reveal why one green continues to struggle while others do not.

Golf leaders met at PGA West in advance of the CareerBuilder Challenge Tournament to discuss water, the economy and the positive contributions of golf in the Coachella Valley.

El Nino is expected to bring heavy rain to the West this winter. Will your golf course be ready? Read about five things golf courses can do to get ready for the rain.

Are you looking for a fun, creative way to grow the game of golf at your course? One course in Wyoming did just that by installing family teeing grounds that every golfer can enjoy.

Making decisions about removing trees often is an emotional and controversial topic. However, removing trees can improve playability and turf health. With proper planning and advice from experts, one course effectively communicated the benefits of selective tree removal.

Recent changes in weather trends in the southern portion of the West Region are affecting the success of winter overseeding. Fortunantly, proper timing and the tips offered in this week's Regional Update will improve your odds for successful overseeding.

Several research projects were presented during the recent Turfgrass and Landscaping Research Field Day presented by the University of California, Riverside. Topic included managing turf under drought and salinity stress and a bermudagrass breeding program.

Labor issues continue to be a challenge for many golf course superintendents. Learn what one creative, southern California superintendent is doing to overcome staffing issues at his golf course.

Trends are occurring throughout the West Region. While some of the trends are helping golf courses deal with mandatory reductions in water use, others are helping attract a new generation to the game of golf.

Looking for a way to reduce the disruption of cultural practices at your golf course without sacrificing the agronomic benefits of aeration? Check out the latest video from the West Region to discover one solution that’s gaining popularity in the desert southwest. 

Looking for a unique way to motivate staff at your golf course? Motivating staff can be one of the most difficult parts of any manager’s job. This regional update highlights the unique method one Wyoming superintendent is using to motivate golf course maintenance staff. 

With the arrival of warm, summer temperatures and a mandate in California to reduce water use by 25 percent, the effects of the drought are becoming more apparent. As a result, some interesting observations have been made at drought-affected courses in the West Region.

Most high-quality putting surfaces have one thing in common – a deep, healthy root system. Promoting a healthy root system is imperative before summer stress and requires the diligent management of multiple factors. How healthy is your root system? Learn how to evaluate root health in this week’s regional update..

Have no noticed that hair stylists often use a brush to stand up your hair before cutting it? Learn how the same principle applies to putting greens and can be used to promote turf health, achieve green speeds and maintain putting quality thoughout the day.

Managing turfgrass on salt-affected soils is challenging for many in the West Region. Fortunately, nature may offer a solution in an unconventional grass species – one which is working well in low-lying, poorly drained, salt-affected areas at one course in Colorado.

Is the success of water-conservation efforts impacting the quantity and quality of the recycled water used to irrigate your golf course or landscapes? Learn how to find out and how to be proactive about changes in the recycled water supply in this week's regional update.

As the U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. quickly approaches, discover the collaborative effort made by Chambers Bay staff, Kemper Sports and Pierce County to prepare for our national championship.

As a follow up to the last Regional Update from the West Region, this week’s Regional Update video details the results one golf course was able to achieve by using an aggressive fraze mowing strategy to improve fairway playing conditions.

Excessive organic matter accumulation can hinder bermudagrass recovery from overseeding and limit water infiltration and root health. Rather than combat this condition for several years, this video describes the fast, aggressive strategy one superintendent in Nevada employed to quickly improve soil conditions.

Struggling to control kikuyugrass in newly sprigged seashore paspalum? One superintendent provides personal experience from experimenting with an alternative strategy that may help you gain control of kikuyugrass in seashore paspalum.

The warmer-than-normal weather in much of the West Region is causing a variety of concerns. While some facilities are worried about winterkill, others are implementing Poa annua seedhead suppression techniques much earlier than normal.

Abnormally warm weather is affecting courses throughout much of the West Region. While some facilities are initiating renovations, others may be incurring early season irrigation costs or are using unique ways to manage unusual volumes of winter play.

Golfers in the West are enjoying unusually warm conditions. However, a recent lack of rainfall and poor snow pack could translate into another year of drought in the southwest. Learn about evolving water best management practices and the management of arid-adapted landscape plants that may help your facility use less water in the future.

The Southern California Regional Conference recently took place at Oakmont Country Club. This regional update presents highlights from several of the presentations delivered during last week's educational conference.

With a new year underway, we all have resolutions we wish to achieve in 2015. For better putting green smoothness and improved turf quality, consider adopting some of the resolutions presented in this regional update.