by Dr. Micah Woods
In my work I have the chance to use different measuring devices and meters to measure various turfgrass performance characteristics. Every golf course superintendent is familiar with the Stimpmeter, and probably has one at the course. Here is some information about three other types of meters that golf course superintendents may find useful.
By: Vernon Thompson
The Pali Golf Course has just gotten a face lift that has long-time duffers scratching their heads and singing the praises of the City and County municipal golf course maintenance staff. “I have been golfing on the Pali course for 15 years and have never seen the greens look so good,” said Gordon Wong, as he wrapped up a day on the course. It’s a Zen thing. When Sean De Mello, the Pali golf course superintendent, talks about grass, it sounds like he’s talking about religion. “If we keep up our cultural practices, such as verti cutting, top dressing and aerating with scheduled fertility and fungicide applications; we will maintain a healthy stand of turf on our greens. In the world of golf courses, green is gold. That was not always the case at the Pali. Since it was designed in 1953 by Willard Wilkinson, this premier municipal course that lies in the bosom of the Koolau Mountains with a view of lush forests and the Pacific Ocean is plagued by inclement weather and lack of sun. Golfers learned to contend with weeds, barren patches, and clumps of grass. “If you are a bad golfer, it just didn’t matter that much,” said Wong, who is now worried word is spreading, and he will have to contend with more golfers dressed in funny pants and strange hats swarming the course.