Main Greens or Temporary Greens
Now that winter and the associated frosts are on the way members may be interested to know how the Greens Staff decide which greens to use.
The most important factor is to avoid damage to the roots in order to keep them healthy and ready for spring growth.
To understand the issue it is necessary to divide the sub surface into upper and lower layers with the division approx 25 mm below the surface.
SHALLOW FROST – UPPER LAYER ONLY. Play on this when frozen or thawing will not damage the roots therefore play on main greens is fine.
DEEP FROST – BOTH LAYERS FROZEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Play in this condition will also not damage the roots therefore play on main greens is also fine.
DEEP FROST – BOTH LAYERS FROZEN BUT UPPER LAYER THAWING DURING THE DAY. Play in this condition WILL damage the roots as the thawing upper layer moves (footfall) against the frozen lower layer therefore temporary greens will be used.
Testing the depth of the frost takes place daily using appropriate equipment.
This is a simplification of the agronomic issues, there may be other factors (playability) which dictate which greens are used but be assured, having got the greens to such a high standard this year we will not allow anything to prejudice their continued improvement next year.
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Preferred lies
Winter Rule (27.11.18)
Pick, clean and place applies to all areas of the course including rough but excluding bunkers.
NB: this does NOT apply during competitions when preferred lies are only permitted on closely mown areas.