Golf Course Report – March 2017
Prepared by Mark Müller
Kimberley Golf Club
Golf Course Report
March 2017
KIMBERLEY GOLF CLUB
GOLF COURSE SITE REPORT
COMPILED BY:
Mark Muller – Golf Course Architect
MARCH 2017
1.0
INTRODUCTION:
Mark Muller was invited by Dave Wilson to visit Kimberley Golf Club to do a course
inspection with the focus on providing guidelines for fairway mowing. A site visit was
arranged for Tuesday March 7th and was attended by the following representatives:
Dave Wilson
KGC
Mike Vigne
KGC
Andries Kori
KGC
Ronnie Engelbrecht
KGC
Mark Muller
Golf Course Architect
2.0
BACKGROUND
Kimberley Golf Course is a Bob Grimsdell layout which was initially designed for cynodon
fairways and greens. A vigorous watering programme has resulted in kikuyu becoming the
prevailing grass and taking over large portions of the fairways, which has altered the
dynamics of the course. In addition the fairways have been narrowed which has created an
enlarged and often penal semi rough. The Kimberley Golf Club require an opinion on the
course set up under the current conditions with a view to providing guidelines for a fair and
playable course for the average club golfer.
During the course of the site inspection, numerous other issues became apparent and for
the sake of clarity it has been decided to submit 2 reports, a general report (this document)
and a specific report dealing with the history and philosophy that should be applied when
deciding on fairway mowing widths (attached to this document).
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Kimberley Golf Club
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Golf Course Report
March 2017
IRRIGATION
The irrigation system is currently being operated on a manual basis which is resulting in
uneven watering and low pressures. The greenkeeper reports that not all stations are
operational from the field controllers and some stations do not shut down after the allotted
time. This could be the result of:
•
Faulty Filtration System
The filter system was inspected and it appeared to require some maintenance.
Spilhaus must be contacted to inspect/report on the status of the system and to
instruct the green keeper on the maintenance requirements. Once foreign objects
are in the system, they are very difficult to remove and cause endless problems.
•
Faulty or blocked solenoid valve
One solenoid was checked on No.16 fairway and repaired by the staff within 15
minutes. The diagnosis was a worn diaphragm and O-ring. A quote has been
requested for a stock of new parts from Controlled Irrigation.
•
Wiring fault between the field controller and the solenoid valve
Ronnie was of the opinion that the wiring is in order and communications have been
established between all field controllers and solenoids. To be confirmed by greens
staff.
It was also evident that some areas have been overwatered and some areas are under
watered. Instead of adopting a standard watering time for all stations, the irrigation
requirements for each area must be assessed on a regular basis. If the greenkeeper notices
an area requiring additional irrigation he should be able to go to the field controller and
switch that specific station on for the required time.
Manual watering times are inaccurate vs automatic irrigation from the field controller
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Kimberley Golf Club
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Golf Course Report
March 2017
MOWING LINES AND FAIRWAY WIDTHS
At the moment there is a combination of linear and contour mowing which is confusing.
For a classic style layout such a Kimberley Golf Club, which is essentially a relatively flat site,
a linear mowing line is preferred to contour mowing. This entails slow sweeping curves and
straighter lines to emphasise the features.
Mowing lines at No.3 are too “busy” and not in keeping with the design style
No.1 fairway has been recently widened
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Kimberley Golf Club
Golf Course Report
March 2017
Where possible the mounds should be partially included in the fairway and the fairway line
should direct players towards the bunkers, and not totally bypass them. It is recommended
that irrigation permitting, the fairway line should be within 3 – 5m of the fairway bunker
edge.
The fairways have been recently widened in certain areas, and although the fairways require
some subtle reshaping as explained above, in my opinion they did not appear to be too wide
or too narrow (for more specific information see attachment).
The fairways should be mowed in a circular fashion which is the most cost effective and will
deliver the classic half and half mowing pattern. This entails starting at the beginning of the
fairway and making the first pass down the centreline of the hole, turning in front of the
green and coming back up towards the tee on the left edge of the fairway.
Thereafter the operator continues to mow in an oval pattern and shift over by 1 mower
width until he reaches the centreline and right hand rough.
Typical half and half mowing pattern
5.0
FAIRWAY AND ROUGH MOWING
5.1 Equipment:
In summer, mowing at Kimberley Golf Club is a full time job for 3
tractor drawn mowers, therefore the cost of mowing wider or narrower fairways is not an
issue.
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Kimberley Golf Club
Golf Course Report
March 2017
If the fairways are narrower it means that the semi rough is wider or vice versa…….and it’s
still a full time job. The following equipment is being used for mowing fairways and roughs:
•
Falcon Finishing Mower - fairways
This unit was out of commission and was waiting for spares. All staff agree this is the
best machine for mowing fairways.
•
Falcon Roto Sled – backup unit for fairways
This unit is currently being used to mow fairways and doing a reasonable job.
Operator reports that he can mow about 12 fairways per day therefore his cycle time
is 1.5 days.
•
Falcon Blower Mower – semi rough
This unit is currently being used to mow the semi rough, however it is only 1.2m
wide and cannot keep up. The operator reports that he can only mow 2 holes per
day therefore his cycle time for 18 holes is 9 days.
The Falcon Blower Mower cutting the semi rough
•
Rotary slasher (bossiekapper) – roughs
This unit is currently being used to mow the roughs and it is constantly in use.
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Kimberley Golf Club
Golf Course Report
5.2 Recommendations:
March 2017
The following recommendations are made with regard to the
equipment mowing the fairways and roughs:
•
Fairways:
Falcon Head Office were contacted and they advised the Falcon
Finishing Mower has been discontinued. Mike must contact the local dealer (Agri
Friend) to source spares from other dealers and head office. KGC must carry stock of
spares for this machine as it has been down for 2 weeks already. Alternatively a local
engineering company must be sourced that can machine the necessary parts at a
reasonable cost.
In places the kikuyu areas on tees, fairways and approaches has too much thatch
which is a result of overwatering. These areas must be identified and scarified next
spring as a matter of urgency. Currently the club does not have the necessary
equipment for this operation so enquiries will have to be made to hire a machine.
•
Semi Rough: In order to improve the cycle time the area of the semi rough must be
reduced. At 1.2m wide, this machine is very narrow and making allowance for an
overlap, the effective cutting width is only about 1.0m. Therefore it is recommended
that the area of the semi rough is reduced to approximately 5.0m either side of the
fairway. This will also place the majority of the trees outside of the semi rough which
means that the operator will not waste time mowing around trees. In addition the
distance markers should be moved to about 6 m off the fairway so that they do not
create additional obstacles for the operator. By following this recommendation it will
be possible to complete about 6 holes per day which will result in a cycle time of 3
days.
It is also recommended to reduce the semi rough cutting height to +/- 30mm. The
combination of reduced cutting height and increased cycle time will result in a
tighter growth habit and improved turf condition and the ball will sit on top of the
turf instead of in the turf as it currently does.
At the moment because the cycle time is too long, the trail of clippings is
considerable and unsightly. This situation should improve with the reduced cycle
times and in addition a side discharge option should be considered for the blower
mower. Although Falcon do make a grass bag, it would fill up so quickly that it would
slow the mowing operation down considerably, when we are trying to speed up.
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Golf Course Report
March 2017
If a side discharge is used and the operator travels in a clockwise direction then all
clippings should end up in the rough.
•
Rough:
The remaining area of what is currently being mowed as semi rough
will now become the rough. This area will be mowed at +/- 75mm with the rotary
slasher. The blades on the blower mower and the rotary slasher must be sharpened
on a regular basis.
•
Out of play areas:
Everything outside of the abovementioned areas will consist of
natural grasses which will become known as out of play areas. These areas are
important for the ecology and biodiversity of the property and the only maintenance
required will be occasional mowing and the removal of weeds on an annual basis.
The native grasses in the rough add a textured understory between the mown turf and the
trees.
6.0
GREENS AND SURROUNDS
6.1 Greens:
The greens appeared to have a bit more thatch than is desirable. This could
be due to the fact that the usual spring treatment was not done last year but the Hydroject
machine was used. The hydroject is good for root growth, exchange of gasses and drainage
to some extent, but it does not remove thatch like conventional hollow tining.
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Kimberley Golf Club
Golf Course Report
March 2017
Although it is less disruptive, and probably cheaper (due to smaller sand requirement), the
Hydroject method should not be used exclusively and should be annually alternated with
conventional hollow tining.
Minor scalping was evident on the edges of many of the greens inspected. The greenkeeper
reported that he is only doing the clean-up pass twice a week, which is good, however, the
interval may be too long in summer when the grass is growing very quickly. Alternatively the
mower operator is travelling too fast on the clean-up pass, which is causing the outside reel
to scalp.
In addition some wear was evident on sharp turns where the machine wheels travel on the
clean-up pass. To prevent tyre scuffing on the green, it is also important to ensure that the
tyres are properly inflated and the operator’s manual must be consulted. Correct tyre
pressures for a Toro GM 3100 are between 0.55 and 0.83 bar for the drive wheels and
between 0.55 and 1.03 for the rear tyre.
6.2 Collars:
It is evident that the kikuyu is encroaching on the greens and making them smaller. A
conscious effort must be made to halt the kikuyu invasion of the greens and keep the kikuyu
outside of the collars otherwise the greens will continue to reduce in size.
The kikuyu has completely engulfed the collar and has now encroached onto the green. The
brown area on the edge of the green is the result of minor scalping
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Kimberley Golf Club
6.3 Approaches:
Golf Course Report
March 2017
The importance of firm approaches is generally one of the most
overlooked areas on golf courses in South Africa. This is particularly important when you
have a green like No.8 which slopes from front to back. The kikuyu approaches are thriving
to the extent where they also have excess thatch, and this thatch needs to be removed in
spring when the fairways are done.
To improve playability thatch levels must be controlled on the approach (area immediately in
front of the green)
7.0
NEW TEES AT HOLES NO.9 AND NO.13
Two suggestions for new tees were received for consideration from the Club Captain, Deon.
7.1
Hole No.9 – Extend the tee back by 20m.
This suggestion must be considered in the overall context of variety in the lengths of the 14
par 4’s, which should be a mixture of long, medium and short. In my opinion the additional
20m would eliminate one of the short par 4’s and therefore compromise the balance of
long, medium and short par 4’s.
7.2
Hole 13 – Alternative tee
The back of the 6th tee was suggested as an alternative angle for the 13th tee shot. This is a
good suggestion as it does not materially affect the length of the hole but it exaggerates the
dogleg and provides an elevated tee shot.
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Kimberley Golf Club
8.0
Golf Course Report
March 2017
CONCLUSION
The Kimberley Golf Club has improved since my last visit in 2012. If the above
recommendations can be implemented and the classic elements of the design can be
maintained , playing conditions at Kimberley Golf Club will continue to improve, and it will
remain a true “diamond in the rough”.
Report compiled by:
Attachment: History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
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Kimberley Golf Club
History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
March 2017
KIMBERLEY GOLF CLUB
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF FAIRWAY MOWING – MARCH 2017
BACKGROUND
Kimberley Golf Course is a Bob Grimsdell layout which was initially designed for cynodon
fairways and greens. A vigorous watering programme has resulted in kikuyu becoming the
prevailing grass and taking over large portions of the fairways, which has altered the
dynamics of the course. In addition the fairways have been narrowed which has created an
enlarged and often penal semi rough. The Kimberley Golf Club require an opinion on the
course set up under the current conditions with a view to providing guidelines for a fair and
playable course for the average club golfer.
HISTORIC EVOLUTION OF FAIRWAY WIDTHS SINCE THE 1950’S
Historically, the reduction in fairway widths can be traced back to the 1950’s and more
specifically to the 1951 when architect Robert Trent Jones dramatically narrowed the
fairways at Oakland Hills in preparation for the US Open.
The narrow 12th hole at Oakland Hills is a typical example of the US Open style setup
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Kimberley Golf Club
History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
March 2017
Other clubs soon followed suit under the rationale of reducing fairway acreage to save on
maintenance costs.
This was followed in the 60’s by the introduction of the single row automatic irrigation
systems, which were installed down the centre of most fairways in the USA, and around the
world. The single row irrigation system had limited coverage and the quality of turf growth
beyond the outer reach of the sprinklers deteriorated. The irrigated area became the new
fairway, and the non-irrigated areas became semi rough and rough.
In the 70’s, well meaning golf committees embarked on tree planting programs to fill in the
perceived open spaces which had been created by the reduction of fairway width. As the
trees grew and their canopies established, the fairways became narrower and alternative
lines of play were further reduced.
WHY ARE FAIRWAY WIDTHS SO IMPORTANT
“When width is used correctly, the player can make choices between dangerous, less
dangerous and out and out safe lines of play, with rewards or punishments comparable with
the amount of risk taken. When we remove these options by narrowing fairways, we leave
just two possibilities: hit or miss.”
Unknown author
The width of the 1st and 18th fairway at St. Andrews presents players with a multitude of
options
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Kimberley Golf Club
History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
March 2017
According to well known American golf course architect, Bruce Hepner, nothing has negated
strategic golf course design more than the substantial loss of fairway acreage. Many courses
have been transformed to the point where a tee shot down the middle is not one of the
players many alternatives……unfortunately it’s the only option.
Compare a golf course fairway with a tennis court, and imagine halving the width of a tennis
court. This would make it far harder for a beginner to keep the ball in play, but it would also
kill the tactics of the game, which are made by the angles of play.
ADVANTAGES OF WIDTH
When a fairway is sufficiently wide, it maximizes the number of playing angles available on
approach shots, raising the value of well-positioned greenside hazards and the famous
“Road Hole” at St. Andrews, is an excellent example of strategic design. As a result of its
strategic design, this hole has played a key role in deciding the eventual Open Champion
over the years. The player is tempted to drive as far right as possible with an aggressive
blind tee shot over the corner of The Old Course Hotel. A ball positioned far to the right,
close to the out-of-bounds line, offers the best angle of approach and minimizes the
chances of finding the legendary “Road Bunker.” A more conservative drive down the left
side of the fairway means that golfers will have to deal with the Road Bunker on their
second shot if they intend to reach the green safely in two. The width and strategic nature
of the hole provides a third option for the conservative player— a drive to the left, a lay-up
to the right and a straightforward pitch. These options exemplify what MacKenzie called the
“spirit of St. Andrews.”
Comparatively, the narrow ribbons of fairway that we see every year at the US Open, robs
the host course of its character and negates 95% of any built in strategy. This type of penal
setup is taken to extremes in an attempt to protect par and in the process produces the
most uninteresting golf tournament of the season.
SETUP
Prior to the 1951 US Open most fairway widths were standardized around 45 – 55 meters
and by comparison, currently the typical fairway width on the PGA Tour is 27 to 30 meters
and for Major Championships they can be as little as 21 meters.
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Kimberley Golf Club
History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
March 2017
The USGA Slope Rating Charts say that scratch players need 30 meters and 20 handicappers
need 36 meter fairway widths to achieve a 66% success ratio. Therefore making some
allowance either side 25 – 41 meters is a reasonable range for all skill levels.
Although it is generally accepted that while fairway width will vary on holes for a variety of
reasons, the norm should be 25 to 30 meters wide in the expected landing area for a scratch
players drive on par-4 and par-5 holes. For purposes of establishing the position of these
landing areas, a distance of 250m is used for tee shots and 200m for 2nd shots on par 5’s. To
accommodate all levels of players, fairways can be wider immediately before these
designated landing areas, to make it easier for average players.
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Pace of Play:
Superintendents and committees strive to reduce maintained areas, and it makes
environmental and economical sense to reduce fairway acreage. However, the impact on
golf must be considered before undertaking such measures, since the golf course exists for
the golfers' pleasure. At most courses, narrow fairways and thick rough slow down play and
reduce enjoyment with players searching for lost balls. Much time can be lost during a
round as a result of searching for balls in the rough and it is also a source of frustration for
golfers. Time spent searching for balls can be reduced in the following ways:
•
Increasing fairway widths.
•
Ensuring, where possible, that players can carry any rough in front of the tee and
reach the fairway. A maximum carry of 120m is recommended from the club tee.
•
Extending the width of the first cut of rough so that balls that initially land on the
fairway are less likely to run through the first cut into deeper rough.
•
Generally reducing the severity of rough so that, while the rough still provides a
challenge, it is less likely to conceal a ball
•
Reducing the height of the grass around greens to make chip shots easier to play, or
to enable players to putt from off the green, will reduce the time it takes to play.
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Kimberley Golf Club
History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
March 2017
Ecology:
Natural grassland provides a home for a range of wildlife and every facility should carefully
consider the need for cutting such areas, and only do so if it is going to be of benefit to a
reasonable number of golfers.
Similar to Kimberley, the natural grassland at Prarie Dunes in Kansas USA adds a 3rd
dimension to the golf course
Compromise in this respect is often required, and before changes are made to mowing
practices, which may have a significant impact on labour and the cost of course
maintenance, it is advisable to undertake an assessment with regards to the playability of
the course.
MOWING LINES
In keeping with the classic nature of the design, the fairway mowing lines must be kept
linear and fairly simple. This means generally straighter lines and slow gentle curves, except
when mowing around features such as bunkers, when curves can be sharper to follow the
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Kimberley Golf Club
History and Philosophy of Fairway Mowing
March 2017
shape of the bunker. In addition, striping of the fairways is not required, and the most
economical way of mowing is the circular pattern which results in a half and half look (see
attached site report for more detail).
Kirtland Country Club in Ohio maintains the simple mowing lines of the original classic design
by C.H. Alison and H.S. Colt
CONCLUSION
A little design thought goes a long way in creating enjoyable golf, and fairways are too
important to be designed, cut, or maintained without thinking through play considerations
first. It’s easy to make a golf course difficult by narrowing the fairways. But as St. Andrews
and many of golf ’s greatest venues continue to illustrate, a design that at first glance
appears wide open, is certainly the most interesting.
While certain members may be of the opinion that wider fairways will make the golf course
easier for less skilled players it will also provide better players with more options, which will
add to the strategic value of the holes and make the game more interesting. Width makes
golf both more interesting and more enjoyable which ultimately results in more member
and visitor satisfaction.
Report by Mark Muller – Golf Course Architect
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