Subtle adjustments to how maintenance practices are completed can help preserve turf health, especially when prolonged stretches of stressful weather are in the forecast. An example of where a simple adjustment can be made is the area where the approach and fairway meet.
Mechanical wear is often concentrated at the approach and fairway interface because this is where fairway and approach mowers turn. Over the course of a season, turf decline can occur if mowers constantly turn in the same general area.
A simple strategy for dispersing traffic from fairway and approach mower turning is to adjust how many side-to-side passes are made with the fairway mower where the fairway and approach meet. Changing how many side-to-side passes are made each month will distribute the stress from turning and traffic, so the same areas do not experience increased mechanical wear for prolonged stretches of time. If wear is noticed prior to the scheduled change, do not hesitate to make the adjustment sooner.
With stressful weather being experienced throughout the Midwest, any adjustments that can be made to play defense are worth implementing. The Green Section Record article "Playing Defense Is a Strength, Not a Weakness" is a great resource for additional recommendations on how to protect turf health through the dog days of summer.
Central Region Agronomists:
Paul Jacobs, agronomist – pjacobs@usga.org
Zach Nicoludis, agronomist – znicoludis@usga.org