Major Advancements in Golf Turf Management in 30 years, 1990 - 2020

There is no comparision between the 1980's and today when you consider the tools and information available for golf course maintenance. 

Let's review the major advancements listed below.

1. Greatly improved turfgrass varieties to choose from. Some recently released varieties are significantly improved. www.sroseed.com 

For example, old varieties like Penncross bentgrass are out dated and will not hold up to what is now demanded on putting greens. 

After 40 years of breeding bentgrasses for enhanced qualities we now have a class of

 for use.

For putting green use there are the new super bentgrasses( i.e., varieties 007XL, 007, 777, Tyee, or Mckenzie). 

Additionally, superintendents have access to greatly improved varieties of turf type ryegrasses, tall fescues, fine fesces and bluegrasses.

In warm season climates there are the fine textured ultra dwarf Bermudagrasses for greens (i.e., Champion, Mini-Verdi and TiffEagle).

Also available are improved varieties of Zoysia for fairways and tees and the salt tolerant sea shore Paspalums for sites that irrigate with water of poor quality.

2. Increasing green speeds, "All the Time."

Historically, green speeds changed little from the 1920's through the 1970's.  Research shows that a green speed of 6 to 7 was the norm during this period, even for major championships.  Golfers now expect, demand, green speeds of 10 to 11 every day.

3. Expanded availability and use of Plant Growth Regulators (PGR's). 

Selected PGR's are now sucessfully used to reduce clippings and enhance stress tolerance of turf. Some PGR's have effectively combated Poa annua invasions or reduce seedhead production of Poa annua.

4. Rolling greens to enhance green speed.

Greens rolling will provide a short term enhancement of green speed -- one day. 

With various makes and models of rolling devices designed for use on greens many golf course superintendents have incorporated daily rolling, four to six days a week, into their schedule. 

The newest trend is to maintain green speed on days when greens would not be cut by replacing mowing with rolling.  Scheduling one or two days a week when greens would not be mown but rolled is a desirable way to incorpoate rolling into a greens program.  

5. Increased use of sand topdressing for greens.

Ongoing research at Rutgers University finds that light frequent sand topdressing of greens (every 7 to 10 days throughout the growing season) has many benefits, to include: Protecting the crown of the turfgrass plant (growing point) from scalping, incorporating sand into a developing thatch, smoothing the surface of the green.

6.  Better understanding of the detrimental effects of shade and poor air circulation and how it affects putting greens. 

Putting greens require a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight for best growth.  Morning sun is more desirable.

Greens located in or around heavily wooded sites may have a history of stressed or damaged turf during the heat of summer, resulting from poor air circulation. Poor air circulation may be caused by the blocking of wind that results in restricted air movement. During the summer these "dead air sites" may have air and surface temperatures that far exceed what is desirable for growth of bentgrass or Poa annua greens.  

7. Improved and expanded choices of equipment designed for golf course use.

Over the past 25 years the quality, variety, and technology advancements in equipment for the green industry is truly amazing.

You name it you can have it, all it takes is money: To name a few, advanced aerification machines for size and depth, verticutting machines that do not damage the surface, alternative spiking and grooming attachment for mowers, sprayers with computer calibration, speed seeders, articulating mowings that will not scalp a contoured surface, availability of electric mowers, light weight rolling attachments, XGD and wicking type drainage. 

8. Highly sophisticated irrigation technology improvements. 

Some advancements include more accurate application of irrigaton water available with a range of new sprinkler heads, nozzels, timing of application, rates, multiple application cycles from computerization, field controllers along with a master command center, radio and now cell phone commands, fertigation, pH and water qualtiy modifications, use of wetting agents, and soil moisture testing devices now used by superintendents.

9. Availability of more environmentally friendly pesticides.

With a concern for the environment and safety of humans we can compare a list of the most commonly used pesticides by golf course superintendents from the 1960's to 1980's with what is available today.   No question, the pesticides available for use today are not only very effective in what they are designed to do, they are significantly more environmenally safe.

10. Expanded eduational opportunities available to golf course superintendents.

Turfgrass science and turfgrass management research and education is available across the United States.  Most land grant universities have turf reseach facilities and plant science curriculums for attaining a 2 or 4 year degree in turfgrass science or turfgrass management.

In additon, there are many colleges, 2 year schools and continuning education courses that provide associates degrees or certificate programs for those students interested in turfgrass.

There are many independent seminars, national and regional turf related conferences that offer certification credits for pesticide licenses.

Knowledge is king and with today's educational opportunities everyone has access to turfgrass education.

The old days of being a golf course superintendent were, in many respects, a lot more in the dark - where is Waldo!

Golf courses are large properties with most consisting of 100 to 300 acres, spread out over hills, lakes and wooded areas.

It seems that we all take our new "communications age" for granted but it was only 25 years ago our golf course management efficiency was "hide and seek" so to speak and "where are you now."

In this new age of instant communication productivety for golf course operations has immensely been improved.

Now, all golf course superintendents have universal use of cell and smart phones, laptop computers, and Google searches.  You have cell phone access to all employees and can find just about anything on Google.

It was not too long ago a golf course superintendent had no or limited communication with his crew once they left the maintenance building for their morning or afternoon assignments.

Typically, it was common for the superintendent to search the golf course property to find a particular employee, "Where is John, has anyone seen John," in a vain attempt to change or update a work assignment or to ask for an update on activities.