Another golf season is well underway and, like years past, more rounds are being played. According to the National Golf Foundation, rounds were up over 5% through April when compared to last year, which was a record-setting year for rounds played in the U.S. There are many positives that come with increased rounds – more golfers enjoying the course, more revenue being generated, and hopefully new golfers picking up the game – but there are also challenges for superintendents.
More rounds mean less time for maintenance during the day, so it becomes a race to complete as much work ahead of play as possible because efficiency drops significantly once the course fills up. When the golf course is busy every day, there must be a greater emphasis on making time for maintenance. It cannot be overstated how important it is to have maintenance time set aside when important agronomic practices can be completed without interruption. If dedicated time is not being made for maintenance, a serious discussion needs to take place among stakeholders about making this a priority. If a recurring full- or half-day closure for maintenance isn’t an option, maintenance gaps are another strategy that can be used to improve operational efficiency.
More stress is also being placed on the turf with increased rounds, and the type of rounds being played matters. Walking rounds place less stress on the golf course compared to cart rounds. As the summer progresses, signs of wear can be seen throughout a busy course, especially if a large majority of rounds are played with carts. While some golfers may require a cart, those who can walk help the maintenance team by choosing to forgo riding. Restricting carts during extremely wet, dry or hot weather will also help to reduce the impact of more rounds.
Other areas likely to show negative effects from increased rounds are tees and putting greens. More divots will be generated, and if tees are undersized, worn areas will need to be put back into play before they fully recover. On greens, ball marks will be more widespread as play increases, especially if golfers are not repairing them correctly.
More rounds being played is good for the game, but there is an impact when more wear is placed on the turf with less time for maintenance. For assistance navigating the challenges of a busier golf course, reach out to your regional USGA agronomist.
Central Region Agronomists:
Zach Nicoludis, regional director, Central Region – znicoludis@usga.org
Tom Gould, agronomist – tgould@usga.org
Steve Wilson, agronomist - swilson@usga.org