Superintendent tools

Just like any profession, a superintendent has tools of his trade. There are variations and one superintendent may have preferences for a certain tool or type of tool versus another, but there are a few tools that you would probably find handy at any golf course.

Soil probe: A soil probe can be invaluable during pretty much any time of year. By taking a core sample, we are able to observe several things in a short time. We can monitor moisture content, root structure, anaerobic soil conditions, soil texture and structure, just to name a few. Each of these plays a role in the health of the turf. With this one tool we can gain insight into the health of the plant and the soil. We carry the typical stainless steel probe seen below. But we also use a modified golf shaft for quicker, smaller samples. The golf shaft is something that is never far from our reach starting in March all the way through to October. It is most efficient for monitoring soil moisture, and far less disruptive than the larger probe.

Thermometer: This is not a tool that was designed solely for turf grass managers. It is no different than any other thermometer. We use it to measure soil temperatures. So many factors regarding health of turf, possible pest increases, timing of agronomic practices, and stress rely heavily on soil temperatures. Cool season turf has an optimal range of soil temperatures for growth which is 55-80 degrees Fahrenheit. If we can monitor this and know when the soil has reached the lower limit we can plan cultural practices. Likewise, through monitoring, when the upper limit has been reached and passed, we know that we need to be aware that the turf is under severe stress and plan accordingly.

Paint/paint gun: Paint and a paint gun can hardly be labeled as agronomic tools, but they can play a key role in projects occurring on the golf course. We paint lines to mark edges for new sod lines during sod projects. When adding or replacing grass, painting lines allows us to see where new lines of grass will be and how this looks rather than cutting and replacing sod and realizing it is not correct. It is also easy to tell our staff to replace everything “inside of a particular rectangle”, or “everything to the left of a certain line” without having to be there. If we have to dig, to prevent accidentally breaking the irrigation lines, we will paint the approximate location of the pipes prior to breaking ground.

Whether it is tools truly meant for a golf course superintendent or not, certain items are key to almost any operation. Simple tools that allow for insights into the health of the turf grass are critical to the daily maintenance of the plants.

 See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org