When golf returns It is likely that due to reduced maintenance it will take some time for the course to return to ‘normal’ condition. It is important to manage you the golfers expectations and explain that the conditions you will experience are the result of limitations imposed by the pandemic essential maintenance safety measures and not through neglect. OBVIOUS ISSUES WILL BE: - Reduced pace of greens through higher cutting heights
- Higher cutting heights in all / most maintained areas
- Lengthier rough areas, particularly in ‘out of play’ areas
- Untidy bunkers
- Lack of golf course furniture such as bunker rakes, bins, ball washers, benches
Whilst some may be disappointed with conditions, it does present an opportunity to remind you as golfers of the fine balance between turf health, maintenance cost and presentation. It may be that golfers enjoy a more natural, less manicured feel to the golf course and some of the changes may become permanent. In returning the course to a more ‘normal’ condition, greenkeepers will ensure that heights of cut that have been raised during the course closure period are reduced slowly so as not to put undue stress on the plant. If heights are reduced too quickly it will encourage disease and weed/pest encroachment. Additionally, it is likely that annual maintenance plans for the course will have been severely affected by the course closure period, this means that some projects planned for 2020 may be delayed or cancelled. Consideration should be given to the amount of invasive maintenance, such as aeration and topdressing that needs to take place in light of the shortened golf season. People have also been asking about when they can start booking tee times but until we know confirm dates and what restrictions will be in place for golf’s safe return along with what the course will require these cannot be released but when we have more information about this we will try to keep you informed via the newsletter, email and the Oulton Hall Facebook page. Enjoy this week's read...
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