Winter Water Management

As the chill of winter sets in, golf courses face the annual challenge of managing moisture levels to maintain playable surfaces and prepare for the summer ahead. It’s a seasonal shift that sees many golf courses and football pitches transition from wetting agents designed to help the soil retain moisture during summer to penetrants that assist in water drainage during wetter, colder months. Beyond the immediate seasonal adjustments, there is a growing emphasis on replenishing and retaining water in golf course management, a focus underscored by the Golf Course 2030 Water Initiative.

 

Why the Seasonal Shift?

Seasonal benchmarking of soil moisture content and water infiltration equips turfgrass managers with in-depth knowledge of their root zone’s water retention and drainage capabilities. Utilising advanced sensors to monitor soil moisture offers real-time data, enabling the fine-tuning of irrigation practices and moisture management. This precision ensures water is applied efficiently, aligning with the plant’s needs and eliminating wasteful watering. While moisture monitoring is a common practice in the summer months, assessing soil moisture during the winter is equally critical.

Golf Course Water Thresholds

Football Pitch Moisture Thresholds

During the summer, wetting agents are essential for managing soil hydrophobicity, where soils become dry and repel water. These surfactants help water to infiltrate and be retained in the ground, ensuring that turfgrass gets the moisture it needs without excessive watering.

 

The presence of too much moisture becomes a critical concern, potentially resulting in conditions such as waterlogging, ice encasement, and the prevalence of turf diseases. To combat these issues, the application of penetrants like Dispatch and Growth Products Hydro-Flo. These products enhance the soil’s ability to channel water efficiently, mitigating the risks associated with excess moisture.

 

Cold, wet conditions are prime for the spread of turfgrass diseases. Implementing robust moisture management strategies is imperative to foster an environment less conducive to the growth of pathogens. Leaf Guard will reduce leaf wetness, assisting turfgrass managers to diminish the likelihood of disease outbreaks.

 

Furthermore, grass plants may experience oxidative stress during colder months due to prolonged waterlogging or insufficient drainage. Products such as Super Fifty Prime are pivotal in alleviating this stress. They act by triggering gene modulation and initiating a cascade of physiological adaptations within various grass species, thereby bolstering the plants’ resilience.

 

Additionally, the challenge of soil compaction looms larger during winter, particularly when wet conditions are combined with regular traffic on the playing surface. A strategic approach that pairs effective water management with regular aeration practices can preserve soil structure, ensuring appropriate drainage and preventing problems such as waterlogging and root diseases that compromise turf health. This nuanced approach safeguards the turf and aligns with contemporary sustainable turf management practices.

Embracing the Golf Course 2030 Water Initiative

Looking ahead, the Golf Course 2030 Water Initiative is paving the way for a future where golf courses can thrive sustainably. Some of these are transferable to the sportsturf situation.

This comprehensive approach encompasses:

• Providing case studies of projects to improve conservation
• Solutions that will promote long-term water security for golf courses
• Legislation information Advocating for golf courses in water rights discussions and policy formulations.
• Potential climate impacts for the UK

 

The Map function is superb for when you ask, ‘Why is the golf course or football pitch flooded?’ or ‘Why is the golf course burnt to a crisp?

By integrating these water management practices, golf courses and football pitches can prepare themselves for the immediate seasonal challenges and align with global efforts to preserve our most precious resource: water. As we move forward, the synergy between the seasonal nuances of turfgrass care and the overarching principles of sustainability will shape the future of sportsturf management.

 

References

Baker, S.W., Hind, P.D., Lodge, T.A., Hunt, J.A. & Binns, D.J. (1996). A survey of golf greens in Great Britain. IV. Playing quality. J. Sports Turf Res. Inst. 72, 9-24

(R&A Golf Course 2030) https://golfcourse2030water.com/

UEFA Pitch Quality Guidelines (2018) https://documents.uefa.com/v/u/UEFA-Guidelines/UEFA-Pitch-Quality-Guidelines-2018