At many courses, one of the more time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks is mowing bunker banks. Steep banks often require handwork in the form of rotary mowing, string trimming and fly mowing. Anyone who has spent the day mowing bunker banks can tell you that there is no need to hit the gym afterward because it is a workout. On a recent Course Consulting Service visit a different option was observed that can improve efficiency and reduce the physical nature of this task.
Bunker banks at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, are maintained with a remote-controlled mower that sits on tank-like tracks. An operator is able to stand in a safe area where they can watch the machine work while at the same time being able to monitor for play. Should a group happen to play through, mowing is briefly paused but there is no need to move the mower from the bank. After each golfer has played their shot, mowing can resume.
For the golf course industry, this about as close as we will come to offering a remote working option. The physical demands and potential safety issues that come with mowing steep bunker banks are largely eliminated by this machine and the quality of mowing is as good as any of the more traditional methods. Depending on the number of bunkers, one or two mowers would be required to mow bunker banks in a reasonable amount of time. Anyone looking to invest in this option could expect to spend somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 per mower depending on which model is purchased.
The Green Section’s Course Consulting Service gives USGA agronomists an opportunity to observe and pass along best management practices, like using remote-controlled mowers, that can help improve agronomic programs. Contact your regional agronomist to discuss how a Course Consulting Service visit could benefit your golf course.
Central Region Agronomists:
Paul Jacobs, agronomist – pjacobs@usga.org
Zach Nicoludis, agronomist – znicoludis@usga.org