Golf is a sport that has seen myriad changes in the game that are impacted by climate, turf, and technology. Fairways that were lush once with a sprinkle of little feed are finding it hard to maintain their color; it is either too hot or too cold for the grass to handle. Fungal sod is every groundskeeper’s nightmare as it is more difficult to handle than dry grass. What was believed to be an easy grass to grow in the past is now a cling baby seeking more attention than delicate plants in a nursery.
Turf and Irrigation Supplier from South East Asia elaborates that turf management is no longer a rookie’s job where the skills can be sharpened as they play along. Hiring a work-in-progress turf manager will do more harm than good for the expensive golf courses. Poor turf will mean hard games for the players and spoiled aesthetics for the onlookers. The game still holds respect in the eyes of erstwhile gentlemen and will probably attract new talent if proper care is extended with sustainable practices where technology plays a sufficient role to get the golf fairways their due glory. Here are a few advanced techs used in golf turf management:
- Soil And Turf Sensors
The vision beyond the grassroots is available through smart sensors that detect the moisture levels at the blade level. Whenever there is extra moisture, shade nets protecting a patch are removed automatically so that extra moisture can evaporate. The sensors also give data that indicates the grass’s current health with recommendations for corrective resources. With alerts that are sent out automatically to the feeder and sprinkler system that autonomously start their job, these sensors are like x-ray machines on steroids.
- Robotic Mowers
The noisy mowers that disturb the practice games of players are replaced with low-noise robotic machines that finish the patches as per the roster mapped out after taking the recommendations of data analytics tools. The automated mowers are preset as per the algo and will be able to finish the job with precision that can be achieved only after years of practice. As an added advantage, the time of skilled labor is now available to look into other serious issues that have not yet been covered by technology.
- Autonomous Drones
Drones have demonstrated their versatility in agriculture across varied geographical and topographical regions. Their use of spectrum analysis cameras mounted on drones can open a world of opportunities in complete turf management. Identifying areas that need immediate attention from the ones that can be placed on the back burner is possible with drone mapping.
- Integrated Pest Management
Pest infestation spreads faster in grasses as their root system is shallow and most pathogens affect the peripheral roots. Before one can spot the disease, the beginning of the end of the grass would have commenced. With preventive measures of IPM, turf keeps pests at bay.
Conclusion:
Technology is an integral part of every facet of our lives. Likewise, using tech to manage golf fairways is a natural progression, considering the revenue these places bring in.
