FlirOne camera

We recently added another tool to our arsenal in the Grounds department: an infrared camera for a smartphone. There are several different models on the market, but we went with FlirOne.

The camera is very small and plugs directly into the smartphone and once the corresponding application is downloaded, it is ready to use. The camera is plugged in, the app opens, and the entire screen of the phone becomes an infrared camera. As the phone is panned across in front of you, the screen shows temperatures in real-time.

Because it is so new, we have not found all of its possible benefits yet. We have been out experimenting at all times of the day and all weather conditions to see if we can find any correlations between what we see the turf doing and what the different temperatures are showing. Just through experience, we know certain areas on greens that get hotter faster. Now, with this camera, we may be able to see atypically warm areas and see them before they become stressed. If we then cool that hot area early enough, we can give those plants the water and relief they need to make it through the rest of a hot day. Conversely, prior to having the camera, on hot days we were waiting for areas to get stressed and then cooling them down. We expect now to be one step ahead, and see areas that may not feel dry initially but are warming up much faster than other areas.

Another use that we have not experimented with yet is for positioning fans. We have one portable fan, but many courses have several fans. We have heard of other courses using the camera to check temperatures, and directing where the fan needs to be blowing, as well as if it is actually cooling the intended target. When we do need the fan on the course, we will test this practice.

While the whole green is warm, the drain
lines are noticeably warmer in some
locations.

This picture is the same as the one to the left,
Only we have marked the drain lines
so they are easier to spot.

Lastly, you can also take pictures of the infrared readout on the smartphone screen. If anything is particularly striking or important based on the temperatures, it can be saved for future reference. We have included some of the pictures we have taken thus far just to give you an idea of what the camera is capable of showing us.

This new camera will not completely revolutionize our practices, but we do believe there will be added benefit. Any tool that gives us more information can help in managing the turfgrass.

The same green and drain lines
now pictured after watering the drain lines only.

Another picture after watering the drain lines.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts must always remain on cart paths once past the green and white posts, through the next tee complex. This is not weather dependent!

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org