Ballmark Repair

     With everyone beginning to venture out for their first rounds of the year, I would like to share a couple graphics one of my peers shared on his social media page. These are refreshers on ballmark repair for most of you, as most do a good job of course etiquette. 

 

 

      The picture on the left shares what research has shown in regards to ball mark repair, and what happens if one is not repaired within an hour.  Time is critical when ballmarks are made for a timely repair!

So, what is the right method of fixing a ball mark?  The steps I use are below.  These illustrations are taken from GCSAA.org, website of the Golf Course Superintendents of America. 

The right way to fix a ball mark

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Step 1:                                                                        Step 2:
Use a pronged ball mark                                            Insert the repair tool at the
tool, knife, key or tee.                                                edges of the mark, not the middle of the

                                                                                    depression.

 

Step 3:                                                                        Step 4:

Bring the edges together                                             Smooth the surface with a club or your foot.
with a gentle twisting motion,                                     Repeat steps until the surface is one you
but don't lift the center. Try not to                               would want to putt over.
tear the grass.

 

Thanks for your cooperation in helping the staff and I keep our greens rolling smooth and true!

April course update, and Geese Control

It was nice to finally have some spring time weather the past few days to get some much needed work done outside.  The irrigation system has been charged for the spring, and I am happy to report with exception to a couple of isolation valves weeping, the system is ready to go.  The greens have been sprayed this week, mainly to begin our Poa seedhead suppression efforts.  We apply two growth regulators to try and suppress the Poa plant from producing seedheads, which can make the greens bumpy and roll unsatisfactorily.  Another new course item you may have noticed are the barber poles on our fairways.  The black stripes indicate 150 yards out, while the par 5 holes have blue stripes, indicating 200 yards from the green.  Many of you liked the pole on 5 last year, so we inexpensively made poles for the other holes in house.  Hope you enjoy them!

Lastly, I wanted to comment a bit on goose control.  The Canada geese have been a nuisance on our property for a long time.  A new control method we are trying this year is called the Gander Disbander.  The unit is floating on the right of the boat in this picture.  This unit produces a red light to you and me, but it a floating laser that is directed at the goose's line of sight.  The laser flashes at a specific interval at night, disrupting the geeses' sleeping patterns and eventually making them want to find a different home where this light will not bother them.  The inventor of this product has been working with me to figure out the best control options for geese, and for the time being that is placing a unit on Pretty Lake, where the geese are prone to nesting and laying eggs.  So far, we have noticed less pairs of geese on the lake during the day, and a larger amount of ducks (scoters, mallards, drakes, and pintails) who are not effected by this deterrent.  We will continue to monitor to see if this product is a great tool to keep on property.

 

Thanks to all who have ventured out, it has been great seeing you after a cold snowy winter.  See everyone out on the golf course!