Introduction
Fairways make up the largest area of generally intensively maintained turf on a golf course. Due to the large areas taken up by fairway grass, an instant positive impact can be made for golfers before they even set foot on the course itself just by using simple cosmetic presentation skills such as striping the fairways when mowing.
Mowing
Typically fairways will be cut at 12.5mm (½") height during the growing season and topped at 19mm (¾") during the remainder of the year. This will, however, depend on the standard required, grass species and available staff levels. Higher standard and budget courses will probably be maintained to a lower height than the more typical golf course as there is often a mistaken perception amongst golfers that shorter grass means a better playing surface.
The frequency of cut will vary according to growing conditions and standards, however, 1-2 occasions per week would be typical.
Clippings will typically be let fly, although on some golf courses the boxing of clippings is sometimes carried out.
If clumps of grass are present after the mowing operation then these should be dispersed by brushing, or another similar operation, to prevent smothering of the sward.
Shaping the edge of fairways to give a wavy contour will assist in producing a more appealing course than one that has fairways with straight edges.
Aeration
Maintaining a relatively free draining surface throughout the year is important for healthy root development.
Surface compaction can be quite considerable, especially on some narrow traffic routes and popular walk on and off areas from the tees and greens, so these areas may probably need some additional, selective aeration.
The amount of regular slit/chisel tining carried out over the autumn and winter period will depend upon soil conditions. Monthly to fortnightly might be typical, but this will depend upon the local weather conditions and the soil type.
A deep spiking of fairways can be beneficial at the beginning (March / April) and end of the growing season (September / October). Due to the size of the fairways, it is likely that if any Vertidraining or similar is carried out, then it will be to only part of the fairway/s.
There is not much point carrying out aeration when the soil is wet as this will only cause excess compaction and soil smearing.
Fertiliser
Fairways do not need regular fertiliser as in most cases grass clippings are let fly and nutrients are returned to the soil.
A liquid seaweed extract is sometimes considered during June or the summer as a turf tonic.
Sulphate of Iron can be used as a cosmetic material prior to important events.
Irrigation
Irrigation will usually depend upon whether or not the fairways have automatic pop-ups installed. Where such a system does not exist then irrigation of the fairway will be mostly restricted to the approaches of a green.
Scarification/Verticutting
Scarification will be carried out occasionally to maintain a fairly vigorous and upright growing plant. Typically this may be carried out monthly to every other month.
Verticutting will usually be carried out on the more intensively maintained course, however, it should not be neglected by other greenkeepers and can help to clean the surface of the sward very effectively.
Powerbrush
This operation would typically be carried out when little if any grass growth takes place. Keeping the fairways clean of surface debris and well groomed will enhance the overall appearance of a golf course, especially when the mower is not in use.
Pesticides
Pesticides will only be applied occasionally.
Weeds can be a problem, especially finer ones such as the clovers and also some slightly broader ones, in particular the daisy and these will invariably need controlling in May or June.
Earthworm casting and leatherjacket infestation can also be a particular problem, especially around October/November and March/April time, and would most likely need some form of chemical control if present in significant amounts.
Sulphate of Iron applied on a regular basis over the autumn and winter period can help to suppress earthworm surface activity.
Drainage
Fairway drainage can be a problem on some courses, so attention should be paid to identifying wet and puddled areas during rainy periods. The problems can then be rectified by some form of drainage works when the soil is in a drier and workable condition.
Renovation
A typical renovation programme would take place in either April/May or September/October and might consist of the following:
- Scarify in several directions,
- Mow to provide a clean, tidy surface,
- Vertidrain to address deeper seated compaction, if required. This might be programmed within any vertidrain regime that is carried out.
- Hollow-tine to remove compacted surface cores,
- Either sweep up and remove the cores or pulverise them by scarifying or similar, to be reused as part of the top-dressing - only if the material is suitable though,
- Overseed evenly, or turf as required. Turfing would most likely be carried out during the autumn renovation period.
- Top-dress using a suitable material, typically a sandy soil.
The exact programme will depend upon how worn the area is.
The seed that may be used can be quite varied depending upon requirements, however, the following is a typical guide:
Seed mixture 1: Chewings Fescue, Strong (occasionally Slender) Creeping Red Fescue, Browntop Bent.
Seed mixture 2: As above but with Smooth-Stalked Meadow Grass included as well.
Perennial ryegrass is generally an unacceptable species for inclusion in a golf fairway mixture. The reasons given for this are usually based on
- the more open sward produced,
- the sward being more prone to annual meadow grass colonisation,
- perennial ryegrass's inability to blend in with the finer turfgrasses,
- torn and damaged grass blades by the use of heavy duty gang mowers, and
- excessive growth that requires increased mowing.
The production of a hard wearing, fine surface composed of fescues and bents is usually seen as the ideal, however, this is not always easy to achieve,
- especially where the soil type is of a heavy nature,
- usage is very heavy and
- users are not of a good standard.
The use of dwarf cultivars of perennial ryegrass in such circumstances is sometimes considered appropriate, however, with the large areas taken up by fairways the spreading of wear should be relatively easy to carry out, helping to maintain a more fine textured and dense sward. This would ideally reduce the need to sow perennial ryegrass on fairways.
Divoting
This is an important task for maintaining an even and hopefully dense surface from which a golfer strikes the ball.
If carried out on a regular basis divoting, with small amounts of grass seed included within the sandy soil/humus mixture, will greatly increase the ability of the fairway to maintain an even surface with good grass coverage. A typical divot mixture might be 1 part sand: 4 parts humus rich sandy soil.
Only certain areas of a fairway will need to be divoted, mainly where the second and third shots are played. The exact area will vary as not everyone will play the same shot. In addition, variation in the use of tees will also result in different landing areas and subsequent strikes of the ball and consequent divots.
A regular cycle of divoting a certain number of fairways each week will help to maintain a suitable playing surface.
Encouraging golfers in good practice by replacing their divots as often as possible will assist the greenkeeper considerably.