Right now in the Southeast, golf courses are busy with cultural practices that will set them up for success during the busy months ahead. While the primary focus is turf health and recovery, summer course closures also provide a rare opportunity to complete detail work that is often overlooked.
The length of the closure determines the potential scope of work. For courses that close for only a matter of days, time is limited. Once the greens and fairways have received their aerification love, maintenance teams can shift their focus to some cosmetic details that elevate the overall appearance of the course. Fresh paint on tee markers, yardage plates, hazard stakes, directional signs, benches and ball washers instantly gives the course a renewed look. Replacing faded signage and cleaning accessories creates a noticeable difference with relatively little labor or expense. These projects may not improve turf health, but they significantly improve golfers’ perception of the property. When players return after the closure, they’re greeted with crisp paint, refreshed course amenities, and a facility that feels cared for from tee to green.
Longer closures – i.e., several weeks or months – allow facilities to tackle larger projects that deliver lasting visual impact along with their cultural practices. A commonly overlooked opportunity during extended closures is pressure washing concrete cart paths. Over time, concrete collects algae, tire marks, fertilizer staining and organic debris that gradually dulls the appearance of the paths. A thorough cleaning restores the original appearance, improves safety by removing slippery buildup, and creates an immediate visual contrast against healthy turf. Pressure washing bridges, curbs and concrete staging areas can produce the same effect.
Similar attention should be extended to the practice facility. Pressure washing driving range hitting mats removes embedded dirt, algae, and rubber residue that accumulates over time. Clean mats not only look better, they reinforce the image of a well-maintained facility before golfers ever reach the first tee.
The most successful golf courses understand that closures are about more than cultural practices and turf recovery. They are an opportunity to reset parts of the property. Whether a facility has one week or two months set aside for closure, investing time in visual details creates a stronger first impression when golfers return. Healthy turf remains the foundation, but clean cart paths, a spotless driving range, freshly painted course accessories and meticulous attention to detail reinforce the quality of the experience long before the first putt is made.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, senior agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org