Minor adjustments to how maintenance tasks are completed can often have positive results that are far more valuable than the time investment required to make the change. A good example is having equipment operators work in tandem when mowing fairways.
The shearing force created when fairway mowers turn in the rough can contribute to turf injury and even decline in some situations. Tandem mowing is commonly used when mowing in a 50-50 pattern, but it can be used to stripe fairways as well. By creating a double-wide striping pattern, equipment operators are forced to make a wider turn when lining up their next pass. By making a wider turn, less mechanical wear is placed on the turf and ultimately the risk of turf injury is decreased.
Mowing in tandem is also an effective strategy for training employees who are learning how to mow fairways. By following an experienced operator, an employee new to mowing fairways can learn the ins and outs of this assignment so they develop the skillset to complete it on their own.
Avoid the mindset of continuing to do things a certain way because that is how they have always been completed. Mowing in tandem is just one example of how a minor change can be implemented to realize positive results.
Central Region Agronomists:
Paul Jacobs, agronomist – pjacobs@usga.org
Zach Nicoludis, agronomist – znicoludis@usga.org
