First day of walk mowing

The staff are walk mowing greens for the first time this season.  You should notice the cut to begin to tighten and become a little more consistent.  You will also notice the striped 20" lines going the four different directions that we mow.  We designate a different direction each day to help reduce grain which can occur from grass blades laying over.  Of course brushing and other cultural practices assist with this effort as well.

  We mow straight(front to back) Mon/Fri, left front corner to right rear corner  10-2 Tues/Sat, right front to left rear corner 4-10 Wed/Sun and across from 3-9 on Thurs.  We do a circle pass or clean up around the green two passes next to the collar every other day.  We alternate the days to reduce wear on the circle which is already being rolled upon every day when we cut the green and then make our turn off the green and come back the opposite direction.

We usually designate 3 mowers every day for this work that can take up to 2.5 hours or so to complete.  A little faster for some operators and a little slower for others.  On some days, we add a fourth mower which reduces the time to about 2 hours or so.  Usually within the first 45-60 minutes, the PG, 1-5 are completed which allows the course to be  ready quickly for member play.  We are usually out at least 1.5 hours before member tee times to insure the course is ready at the designated starting time.