These standards would most likely reflect the natural habitat of the course type and would have minimal artificial interference imposed on the area. These standards would also be more relevant to the semi-rough than the rough, as the latter can be deemed more natural and invariably can generally be left alone except for a few operations, of which mowing would predominate.
The type of environmental management plan which is implemented will have a significant influence on the standards which can be set and realistically achieved for the semi-rough and rough.
| Performance Standard | Parameter to be achieved (When measured at any time during the year) |
Comment |
| 1. Total ground cover | Min. 80% | A higher figure may be considered for the semi-rough, e.g. a min. of 90%. |
| 2. Desirable grass species content | Min. 70% | This would most likely relate to the existing species. |
| 3. Weed content | Semi-rough: Max. 10% Rough: Max. 20% |
Much of this would depend on how flowering weeds etc. are perceived within the rough. |
| 4. Moss/Algae content | Semi-rough: Max. 5% Rough: Max. 10% |
|
| 5. Pest infestation | Max. 2% | This relates to leatherjackets and chafer grubs which will exhaust the grass roots and should not be tolerated in more than a few locations. |
| 6. Grass length | Semi-rough: 40-75mm Rough: 100-150mm |
Choose an optimum height for the particular course. |
| 7. Root depth | Min. 75mm | In general, the deeper the better, but 75mm should realistically be aimed at as a minimum. |
| 8. Quality of cut | Uniform | This will ensure the mower is set correctly to an even height, yet allows for the use of flail mowers. |
| 9. Surface evenness | Using a 0.5m straight edge - Max ± 25mm | To prevent, or reduce, a trip and mini-pot holes from developing. This is much harder to achieve than on fairways due to the vast size of the area as well as the length of grass involved. |
| 10. Permeability of the soil profile | 0.5 cm/hr | Aiming to prevent too frequent ponding during the winter. |
Some form of scrub encroachment may also need to be considered for these areas: It may be desirable to provide for gorse to extend into the rough area.
If heather forms part of the semi-rough or rough then a different management regime and standards would need to be drawn up for this species.