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<\/a>Michigan's True North Golf Club blends beautiful conditions with sound environmental practices.<\/p><\/div>\n
According to the USGA Green Section, a short while back greens at normal member courses were routinely faster than the national championship green speeds of 10 to 20 years ago.\u00a0 Sounds good?\u00a0 Not at the cost it extracts from the environment as well as a golfer\u2019s enjoyment of a round.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fast greens mean more putts and slower play since balls won\u2019t stop rolling and won\u2019t bite, leaving longer, more time-consuming putts.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Interesting hole locations are lost because portions of the green become unusable; consequently, high traffic pin locations decline faster from overuse.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ball marks are slower to heal; close mowing leaves less cushion for ball marks and the grass that is there does not recover as quickly; to illustrate this, one course used white tees to mark each spot of damage from a ball mark.\u00a0 When viewed from afar, the green appeared snow covered\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fast greens cater to a fraction of players, with low handicaps.\u00a0 Average golfers usually cannot negotiate the challenges of fast greens; this adds to frustration levels of an already difficult game.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fast greens lead to poor turf.\u00a0 Most greens are mowed to heights of about 1\/8 inch or less; this will stress the grass and open it up to moss, winterkill, compaction, drought distress, and disease.\u00a0 To combat this, more chemicals and labor are needed, which works directly against current environmental green practices.<\/p>\n
When considering fairway maintenance, there is a simple equation:\u00a0 increasing economic challenges directly impact labor and materials costs; so, excessive watering, fertilizing, and mowing are all too expensive to sustain.\u00a0 That’s why you’ll see continued efforts to reduce playable areas, letting them go ‘green’…or brownish, as it were….. and natural.\u00a0\u00a0 Of course, isn’t that how it used to be when goats ‘mowed’ the fairways in those early days?<\/p>\n
As golfers, we have to cooperate with changing times and realize that the earth does indeed provide us with bountiful resources – though they aren’t unlimited nor immune to damage.\u00a0\u00a0 You may say, \u2018OK, I\u2019m just a golfer.\u00a0 I don\u2019t own a course.\u00a0 How can I help to preserve the course environment?\u201d\u00a0 One way is to follow these practices:<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be kind to the course: repair ball marks and replace divots to help maintain playability.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Walk, rather than use a cart, when possible.\u00a0 Walking promotes physical fitness, healthy turf, and a clean environment.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Look for consistent, true ball roll on greens, rather than speed.\u00a0 Lower mowing heights required for fast greens are at the root of many turf and environmental problems.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keep play on the course and stay out of natural areas.\u00a0 Respect designated environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife habitats within the course.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Use trash and recycling receptacles and encourage others to do the same.\u00a0 If you see trash, don\u2019t pass it up\u2026.pick it up!<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Appreciate the nature of the game.\u00a0 Watch for wildlife as you play and support the course\u2019s efforts to provide habitat.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Educate others about the benefits of environmentally responsible golf course management for the future of the game and the environment.<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Encourage the golf course be an active participant in environmental programs for golf courses, such as those offered by Audubon International.<\/p>\n
And speaking of Audubon International, you can also take the Green Golfer Pledge:\u00a0 “I value the nature of the game and accept my responsibility to ensure that golf courses are managed in harmony with the environment.”\u00a0 Then, go to www.golfandenvironment.com. and download their itemized practices as well as learning more of what you personally can do to keep the game in great shape, environmentally.<\/p>\n
Another great resource for more information than you can possibly fathom is available from the USGA, considered by many to be the Gold Standard of ‘green’.\u00a0 Check out www.usga.org and click on Course Care.<\/p>\n