Most of us are probably guilty of searching the internet or watching a couple of YouTube videos and deciding that we’re ready to tackle some home repairs or improvements, only to discover that it’s not as easy as it looked, or the video doesn’t apply to the specifics of your home, or the information simply wasn’t accurate. A similar situation often plays out when golfers search for more information about course conditions or maintenance practices, and even more so now that artificial intelligence is an option.
It's great when golfers want to learn more about course maintenance, but it is important to seek out trusted sources. If you have questions about a specific course you play, reach out to the superintendent first. They will have the most in-depth understanding of the course and be able to answer any specific questions you have. Every golf course is different – they have different grasses, different infrastructure and different maintenance priorities that cannot be fully accounted for in any online resource.
Objective sources like the USGA Green Section Record, university websites like Michigan State’s Turfgrass Information File (TGIF), or university extension specialists are another good option for learning more about golf course maintenance. These are reliable online sources where you can find accurate information on a wide range of topics. Pro tip: If you are searching the internet, type the topic you are looking for information about followed by USGA Green Section Record and articles written by USGA agronomists should be the first ones listed.
Social media can be a double-edged sword when it comes to finding reliable information. There is plenty of good stuff out there, but the reality is anyone can create an account and start posting information about course maintenance – whether it’s accurate or not. If you are looking for reliable sources on social media, following the USGA Green Section on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn, turfgrass professors and golf course superintendents is a good place to start, especially if the superintendent at the golf course you frequent is on your preferred platform.
Learning more about course conditions and maintenance practices creates an opportunity for you to share information with fellow golfers and raise awareness about the many factors that go into maintaining a golf course. However, we’ve all been in situations where we have just enough information to be dangerous! I recommend running any information you find online past the superintendent at your favorite course to get their thoughts on how it applies to the situation you’re interested in and what the caveats might be. That will help answer your questions more fully and make you a better resource for others.
Superintendents are lifelong learners who dedicate their careers to understanding all the intricacies of maintaining a golf course and using that information to deliver playing conditions that challenge golfers of all skill levels. As a golfer, having a desire to understand the superintendent’s world is excellent, but it cannot be overstated how important it is to seek out trusted sources. There is a lot of information out there these days, and it is not all created equal.