One of the things that even non-golfers admire when they come across a golf course in their travels or on television is how green the grass is. Most people would love to have a lawn that stays a beautiful shade of green throughout the growing season and is in overall magnificent condition. It could be possible with a staff of greenskeepers to work on the lawn. Here's how golf courses maintain their beautiful color and lush grass.
Adjustable Sprinkler Trajectories
There is no real secret to what makes a golf course green: It's the sun and water. One of the first things golf courses do is provide above ground sprinkling all over their course in the late afternoon and evening hours. They do this with adjustable sprinklers that vary the trajectory of the water that is delivered to the different areas of the course.
Subsurface Irrigation Drip
Irrigation hoses are located under the surface of the grass throughout the golf course. Golf course management waters at various times throughout the day in order to keep the grass healthy and green. In addition to following a predetermined schedule, sensors are implanted in the ground that let the groundskeepers know if there are any areas that need extra attention.
Water Testing
It's not enough just to provide ample water throughout the golf course. The water must be tested regularly to see if it has been compromised by pesticides and other chemicals. The water system must be kept pure and that means the head groundskeepers have to play the part of chemist to make sure it does not get contaminated.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer who has been covering sports for 28 years. He is the author of "The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" (Triumph Books, Chicago) and two other books on the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
