| | New Year's Resolutions -
From A Maintenance Perspective
January 2, 2008
By , Northwest Director
OK, so you have read your share of New Year's
resolution lists. Probably have had your fill of them.
But there are certain resolutions that golfers should make
in showing the proper respect and care of their golf
course, which they may forget to do now and then. The
following list encourages all players to understand the
positive and negative impact their presence has on the golf
course.
1.
I resolve
to understand that a bunker should be left the way it was
when I entered it by
properly
raking my footprints and blast mark, regardless of how good
or inept my attempt has been.
2.
I resolve
to bend over when filling my divot with sand/seed to make
sure the area is filled properly and to not damage the
mowers.
3.
I resolve
to learn how to properly fix all of my ball marks by
pushing and not lifting them up, thereby exposing soil and
causing weeks of recovery.
4.
I resolve
to realize that any sign that has a directional arrow with
the word "carts" on it means I should go in that
direction when driving a power cart.
5.
I resolve
to avoid walking over ropes held up by stakes that are
meant to move traffic away from a weakened area. When
I trip over said rope I will take personal responsibility
for my mistake.
6.
I resolve
to understand that those operating maintenance equipment
can be injured by my attempts at striking a very hard white
ball. A few seconds of patience is always the best policy.
7.
I resolve
to remember that cart paths are not like a road where
parking is needed on the edges. I will park/drive my golf
cart on the hard surface only to avoid wearing out the
edges.
8.
I resolve
to understand that trees never grow smaller as they age and
shade/roots sometimes mean tree removal is necessary.
9.
I resolve
to understand that all greens are different, thus green
speed should not be the same from course-to-course as
detecting and adapting to different course conditions is an
inherent part of the challenge of the game.
10.
And finally, I resolve
to remember that the game is just that - a game. I will
accept responsibility for my success or failure at this
difficult game, even while sitting in the 19
th
hole!
The Green Section'sis the Director of the Northwest Region. He can be
reached with questions or comments at
lgilhuly@usga.org.
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