Slicing program

Lines from slicing.

This week we will be initiating our annual Bermuda grass slicing program. Using the growth habit of the Bermuda grass to our advantage, we help to promote new tissue and density.

Bermuda grass produces rhizomes and stolons that help it spread. Rhizomes are underground growing tissue and stolons are above ground. Both plant parts help the Bermuda grass move from one area to the next, where it establishes new plants. We promote this movement to help fill in weak areas as well as improve the overall density of all areas.

The beneficial aspect of the rhizomes and stolons that we exploit is their ability to grow new tissue from each place they are cut. What this means is that when this growing tissue is severed, a new plant will start at each end of the wound.

Up close shot after verticut machine. Notice
how much material is lifted out of the canopy. Compare
surface disruption to the above picture of slice lines.

There are many ways to accomplish this cutting action. There are specific slicing machines. The downside to a specific slicing machine is the cost and the fact that it would be in use for only a week or two a year.

There are also vertical mowing machines, which use a blade that cuts vertically, down into the turf, like what we use on the greens. We have a verticut machine that we have used in the past. These machines cut down into the canopy, slicing the growing tissue, but also removing large quantities of material. However, due to the damage the Bermuda grass has sustained over the last two winters, winter 2017-2018 in particular, we decided against using the verticut machine because we did not want to remove material from already weak turf grass.

Picture of a fairway after verticut. Next this fairway
would be mowed and then the excess material
blown off.

For us, we have found that our seeding machine works well and does not require another piece of equipment. We empty out the seed bin and simply run the discs through the turf. The seeding discs slice into the turf but no material is removed. The process is fast, very low impact, and much less labor intensive.

While the process of removing material using the verticut machine is still an important part of our program, we need the Bermuda grass to be stronger. It may be something we use later in this season or in another year. For now, though, the seeder accomplishes our goals the best.

Look closely and you can see dark green lines
from slicing. This is the new tissue starting to grow.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please keep carts on cart paths for the entirety of par 3 holes.

 Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org