Sunday, May 27, 2012
The weather has been beautiful and the golf course has been packed. The course is holding in well despite the extra traffic. We are on pace to have about 30,000 rounds this year. That is about 25% more than normal. I have noticed more ball marks being fixed and definitely more filled divots. That is apparent by the amount of empty sand bottles at #6 tee box. Please remember to fill divots on tees where sand is provided. The one place that is wearing out very quickly is the driving range. The range has stayed busy throughout the warm winter and is in need of a break. It will not get one. We are aggressively topdressing and fertilizing to heal in but the recovery takes time. The best way to aid in recovery is to practice correctly. I understand why the range is so widely used. 1. Willow Oaks is a difficult test of golf; Practice is necessary. 2. This game is becoming one of practice; Time is an asset that we don't have enough of. 3. Willow Oaks and its driving range is in a great location. It is convenient to home and work. With that being said, proper practice will lead to better range conditions. This article, 'Preferred Practice Technique to Maximize Turf Recovery', that I wrote last year has a great video describing the proper way to practice. Please do your part to care for the range and the golf course. Please remember to RSVP for the course care event on June 4 if you plan on attending.
The golf course is growing well and we are working hard to keep up with growth. Moisture management is essential during the hot times of year and you will see myself and the management team syringing greens in the afternoon. This vital agronomic practice is utilized to reduce plant-tissue temperatures or other stresses such as wind, low humidity or drought. We keep the greens dry when we can control the water to prevent disease and improve conditions. The drier the green, the more likely the need for syringing. We are not trying to apply water in the afternoon, we are simply cooling the surface. We understand the inconvenience but please work with us to keep the greens healthy. Thank you for your patience.
Happy Memorial Day. Remember that we are open on Monday for the Holiday and closed on Tuesday for course maintenance. The range will open at noon on Tuesday. Take this day to practice (correctly) and take a lesson. Our golf professional staff led by Richard White is always available to help.
Have a great holiday,
Jordan Booth
jbooth@willowoakscc.org
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| This is the bunch pattern. The golfer's intent here is good. He/she is trying to minimize their area of disturbance. The turf recovers laterally. If you think about it, it will take a long time to recover all the way over to the center of this mass of divots. This incorrect practice technique delays turf recovery. |
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| This is the scattered pattern. The main problem with it is that it takes up the largest amount of space. The scattered pattern turns into the bunch pattern with enough use. This type of incorrect practice is the worst technique and the one that I see the most. |
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| This is the look of a proper practice technique. Each ball has been placed directly behind the last divot. This creates a straight line of divot and impacts the smallest area. The turf will quickly grow laterally over this divot and will lead to the fastest driving range recovery. Please use this technique. Deliberate practice will benefit your game as well. |
