During summer, our main goal is to keep the golf course healthy, playable, and looking its best, while also protecting the turf through hot and challenging weather conditions.
Keeping the Grass Healthy
Warm temperatures and increased play place extra pressure on the turf, particularly on the greens. Our team closely monitors turf health each day and adjusts maintenance practices to ensure playing surfaces remain smooth, firm, and consistent.
Recently, we completed mini‑tining of the greens, a light aeration practice that encourages stronger turf and improved playing conditions. This process enhances airflow and water infiltration, helping the grass stay healthy during peak summer stress.
Smart Water Use
Effective water management is one of our top priorities over summer. Rather than overwatering, we focus on watering smarter, which includes:
- Regularly adjusting irrigation settings to suit current weather conditions
- Hand‑watering localised dry areas instead of watering entire sections
- Applying products that help the soil retain moisture for longer
- Replacing only the water the turf loses each day
This approach supports healthy turf while minimising unnecessary water use.
Mowing and Course Presentation
As temperatures rise, turf growth accelerates. To stay on top of this, we:
- Increase mowing frequency to maintain smooth, high‑quality playing surfaces
- Keep mower blades sharp to reduce stress and tearing of the grass
- Pay close attention to overall course presentation
This includes edging pathways and maintaining clean lines around lakes and key features.
Bunkers and High‑Wear Areas
Throughout summer, we continue to improve areas that experience the highest traffic, including:
- Maintaining bunkers through edging, sand levelling, and weed control
- Repairing worn pathway walk‑off areas with new turf
These works improve both playability and the overall appearance of the course.
Supporting Strong Turf
To help the turf withstand summer heat, we apply fertilisers and soil treatments that promote strong root development. Light aeration is also carried out where required, allowing air and water to reach the root zone more effectively.
— Nick Kinley, Golf Course Superintendent
