Better Greens

[KniceZ]

Didn't want to thread jack the "harder green".

Lately I've started to get a little anoid at some of the courses that have "greens" that are nothing but eroded dirt patches.

I don't expect ball golf greens but I'd love to see more greens with some landscaping - terraces, mulch, defined 30" circles, planned vegitation, etc.

It would take more work but I think it would enhance DG's image.

[mndiscg]

Then Pay to Play is the answer. See Bryant Lake Park in Eden Prairie, MN.

[steve a]

Originally Posted by KniceZ

Didn't want to thread jack the "harder green".

Lately I've started to get a little anoid at some of the courses that have "greens" that are nothing but eroded dirt patches.

I don't expect ball golf greens but I'd love to see more greens with some landscaping - terraces, mulch, defined 30" circles, planned vegitation, etc.

It would take more work but I think it would enhance DG's image.

We do stuff like that around here. We call it "Course Work". I wouldn't expect the city/park management to do it for you.

[DavidSauls]

It's also difficult where there's a lot of foot traffic---like around baskets on well-used courses---and especially on sloping greens. Which, unfortunately, need it the most.

[Connor Jones]

^ Knows something about amazing greens.

[KniceZ]

I understand that it takes a lot of work. Just wondering if anyone else thinks "greens" should be more than dirt and roots?

[DavidSauls]

Yes. And these aren't separate items.

It's hard to get grass to grow around a basket if the course gets much use. Darned near impossible in the woods.

Mulch is great but if there's any slope at all, mulch tends to wash away.

Retaining walls, of landscape timbers, railroad ties, or paving stones, are great too. If you've got the money and available labor. Some places they can't be done because they create hazards. Some places they shouldn't be done because you want the slope (rollaways).

Landscaping is cool but anywhere people walk, they're hard on the landscaping.

I've done all of this, on a private course and with the local club on public courses. And dealt with the limitations.

I doubt anyone likes dirt and roots on the green, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with.

[steve a]

Originally Posted by KniceZ

I understand that it takes a lot of work. Just wondering if anyone else thinks "greens" should be more than dirt and roots?

Greens can be more than just dirt and roots. What have you done to make them better? Are you looking for ideas or complaining that no one has done anything about it? Baskets can be moved to other pin locations to let "greens" heal. Seed can be put down on dirt patches to allow them to recover. In some parts of WI I know they pull the courses during the spring when the traffic causes the most damage. What kind of sacrifices/effort are you willing to make for better greens?

[John Rock]

Originally Posted by KniceZ

Didn't want to thread jack the "harder green".

Lately I've started to get a little anoid at some of the courses that have "greens" that are nothing but eroded dirt patches.

I don't expect ball golf greens but I'd love to see more greens with some landscaping - terraces, mulch, defined 30" circles, planned vegitation, etc.

It would take more work but I think it would enhance DG's image.

30 inch circles would certainly be easier to maintain than the normal 32ft.10inch circles (10m) that defines a putt.

[scarpfish]

Originally Posted by KniceZ

defined 30" circles,

You want defined circles directly underneath the basket? Whatever for? Although I'm sure you meant 30' which isn't correct either.

Originally Posted by KniceZ

It would take more work but I think it would enhance DG's image.

Enhancing our image unfortunately requires money. Most of us don't see bald spots on our "greens" as that much of an issue that we're going to invest a lot of moolah into it. Note: the areas around our tee boxes also have this issue.

That being said, this is one reason that many courses install multiple pin positions.