There is a media narrative that golf courses are bad for the environment. However, research is finding that, not only is this not true, but golf courses now play a pivotal role in how green a local area is.

The course manager at Manor of Groves GC in Hertfordshire, where the front nine weaves around manor gardens and the back nine is picturesque parkland, takes us through his average day.

Dave, from Little Aston Golf Club, talks about greenkeeping during a pandemic, the cultivars he uses to maintain a healthy surface and the biology used to improve the soil profile on the course’s greens.

Rupert Price, managing director of Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland importer of Ventrac compact tractors and attachments, gives his thoughts on maintaining turf in wet conditions.

Winter is the perfect time for areas of the course to become covered in algae, mould, lichens and moss. However, there is now an acid that greenkeepers can use, and it works very quickly.

Having built two trial bunkers in 2019-2020, with Durabunker leading design and construction, the club has now begun a phased renovation with three greenside complexes being completed this autumn.

While it’s hard to predict what 2021 will bring, what we know with certainty is that the early year cold weather is already upon us and machinery maintenance is a constant.

Shortly after taking over as head greenkeeper at Charleton Golf Club, Brian Heggie quickly drafted in another new member of the team – a Redexim Verti-Drain® 7416 from local dealers Henderson Grass Machinery.

“Bunkers are a daily drain on labour resources, with having Capillary bunkers we have had a significant improvement to our operational efficiency and to the playing experience for our members and guests.”

Rebuilt a few years ago by architect and former European Tour player David J. Russell, the famous Machrie links on the Scottish island of Islay has now finished the construction of the bunkers on the new-look course.