If you look at a golf course every time you play it, do you really know what goes into the final, presented product?

The first and probably the most important area of the golf course - the greens.

There are various different ways of ensuring the perfect putting surface and depending on grass type, undulations, construction values, climate and maintenance equipment available; you must work out a certain program that will work the best in each different environment. The greens at SFL are mown every day on an exact height of 3.5 mm. The greens were not constructed to your normal USGA specification which entails different layers of stone, sand pipes for drainage and an organic content. These are what we call “push up” greens. Basically they are built on the same material that was used on the fairways with no drainage and no stone blankets. They were compacted and shaped and then seeded. These are true characteristics of a pure links golf course. We do various cultural practices which include rolling them for increased speed, de-thatching them on a regular basis that also helps with the speed, but most importantly helps with the prevention of fungal and insect infestations. Depending on the climate and the condition of the greens we also do light sand applications on the greens. This also prevents the greens having too much thatch on them and also over a couple of years improves the overall profile.

Having a well structured preventative chemical program is also of the utmost importance. I always think of it to be pro-active, rather than reactive in various departments of the whole operation. Fertiliser regimes are also a vital part in the condition of your greens. Too much fertiliser is a financial waste and it also influences the playing conditions of the different greens. On the flip side again, too little fertiliser makes the greens more susceptible too thinning out, fungal activity and a lack of colour.

Our greens are in great condition at the moment and I can assure you that they are some of the best in the country.

Hope you all have a wonder full week and as always, if you do want to learn more about your golf course and various aspects of maintenance, please feel free to contact me.

All the best,
Andre Gerber
0824514158
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