The fact that rounds are up, and have been for a couple of years, is no surprise. While the surge in the number of rounds played is a positive for golf, it presents new challenges for maintenance. More rounds, in particular rounds played using a cart, means more stress on the turf and more thin areas to deal with. One of the oldest and most effective ways to manage traffic is to install barriers and signage to show golfers where to (and not to) drive so that traffic is dispersed or allows the turf in certain areas time to recover. Unfortunately, these efforts aren’t always effective because golfers tend to be more focused on their golf game than on signs, ropes and stakes. The following are some other techniques implemented by courses to help understand the flow of traffic and how to better manage traffic:
- GPS tracking can be used in various ways. Some golf carts are equipped with this technology to prevent them from driving in sensitive areas or in pinch points. The USGA GPS Service can also be used to better understand where golfers are and aren’t going. With this service, GPS loggers are carried by golfers and provide a more accurate analysis of traffic flow on the golf course. This information can be used to direct traffic in the short term and identify opportunities for long-term course modifications to improve traffic flow on the course.
- Cart path design has a significant impact on traffic flow and turf health in high-traffic areas. In some cases, a cart path may be present, but if not properly designed and located, thin turf next to the path can still be a persistent problem. The USGA articles Common Sense Cart Paths and Cart Paths and Traffic Management Go Hand in Hand discuss some key factors to consider in order to add some common sense to cart path design and traffic management. One of the most common flaws in cart path design is ending or beginning cart paths in high-traffic pinch points and not providing enough space for entry and exit. This concentrates traffic and leads to turf decline.
- Another modification courses are making to handle increased traffic is installing additional drainage. Allowing traffic on poorly drained areas is perhaps one of the fastest ways to inadvertently kill turf on a golf course. Installing additional drainage in key areas not only improves turf health, but also gets the course open faster following rain events.
- The importance of growing environments cannot be overstated. Removing problematic trees can improve the turf’s ability to withstand concentrated traffic. In some cases, the negative effects of trees are exacerbated when they create obstacles in high-traffic areas. Trees funnel and concentrate traffic while also creating shade and outcompeting turf for water and nutrients.
- In some cases, site-specific fertilization programs in high-traffic areas can help the turf withstand additional traffic. That said, it is important to recognize that there is a tipping point, where no amount of fertilizer will allow turf to recover from a certain level of traffic.
The increase in rounds is a great thing for golf, and as employees in the golf industry, it is our job to find ways to keep golfers engaged and returning to the course. These tips should help improve course conditions in the wake of all the increased traffic. If you would like to discuss any of these topics further, feel free to contact your regional USGA agronomist.
Central Region Agronomists:
Paul Jacobs, agronomist – pjacobs@usga.org
Zach Nicoludis, agronomist – znicoludis@usga.org