Green speeds?

Starting this week we will be measuring the green speeds on a weekly basis. As of today are greens were rolling at a speed of 9.2 on the stimpmeter. This was measured at 7:00 a.m.. The greens are almost back to everyday speeds, and we strive to get them on a everyday basis to 10 on the stimpmeter. The blog is rather lenghty today but you might find it very interesting what goes into typical green speeds throughout the year. This is a post on usga's website about green speeds in relation to the use of a stimpmeter. One of the most significant aspects of a golf course is the uniformity of its greens. Variations in speed -- whether from one green to the next or on different parts of the same green -- can do more to negate a player's skill than can ragged fairways or unkempt bunkers. Most golf course superintendents are well aware of this problem, and constantly seek better ways to establish consistent speed on all their greens. The problem they face, however, is extremely complex. Experience shows that trying to keep the speed above 10 feet on a consistent basis usually causes difficult-to-manage turf problems and is not recommended. The Effects of Management Practices The manner in which putting greens are managed has a tremendous influence on their speed and consistency. Most of these factors are known to some degree, but almost all are worthy of research. Following are some of the major variables that using the Stimpmeter will help us to understand more effectively: 1.Mowing height and frequency of cut are extremely important considerations. The mower's bench setting is no guarantee that greens are cut at a prescribed height. More over the condition of the mowers; the type of mowers (floating or rigid cutting units); attachments such as Wiehle rollers, groomers, brushes, and combs; all can make a difference in the cut and green speed. So does double-cutting, verticutting and rolling. The precise effect of each of these factors can be measured with the Stimpmeter. 1.Watering practices and surface moisture (dew) are crucial to green speeds. Moist turf will be slower than dry turf at any mowing height. 2.Fertilizing practices can be studied, such as the effects of rate and frequency of application, nitrogen source, and nutrient balance. 3.Grain is sometimes a deterrent to uniformity of speed. How grain is affected by changes in direction of cut, use of vertical mowing equipment, riding versus single unit mowers, etc., can be studied a they relate to green speed. 4.The effects of aeration, spiking, and topdressing can be measured, both before and after treatments. 5.Speed variations among the different grasses presently used for putting greens can be documented. For example, in spring, when Poa annua produces excessive seedheads, greens can be slower and more bumpy. Your records will serve as a reminder to topdress, begin vertical mowing, or schedule other practices calculated to help maintain the desired speed and consistency. General Comments Knowing the speed of the greens may assist in determining whether a hole location is fair or unfair. A green so fast (or a hole cut in such a position) that a ball cannot be stopped near the hole from any point on the green, for example, is an unfair challenge. Championship greens should be fast and uniformly paced, firm but resilient. They should place a premium on well-executed shots, while exacting a penalty for less precise shots. Close daily mowing, a light nutrient program, proper irrigation scheduling, a good topdressing schedule, and a minimum of thatch are the accepted means of achieving excellent greens. The test for determining whether a surface is properly firm but resilient is the type of ball mark that results from a distance shot onto the green. If the turf within the ball-mark depression holds together, the green has the firmness required of a championship green. Strive for championship conditions only for limited periods of time, principally for important club events. Turfgrass failure is common when championship conditions are maintained for too long or when adverse weather conditions occur.

White flowering in fairway

Once again you have probably noticed are annual white filament, this is visible only in the fairways especially where there is 100% kikuyagrass coverage. It is the plants stamen, which is basically it's reproductive mechanism. This is the time for it to be flourishing, and so with that in mind, it will be a temporary existence which shouldn't effect play much at all.