With rain finally falling, there’s a lot of work to do as we head into autumn writes Ganton course manager Simon Olver
Having almost completely missed out on recovering from the 2024-25 winter, golf courses across the country are in desperate need of good growing conditions this autumn.
This spring, we moved rapidly from a period of no growth due to low temperatures into a period of slow then zero growth due to drought conditions. The speed of this change meant grass plants didn’t recover from the cold and areas of winter damage remained throughout the summer. Add in an incredibly stressful summer for the plants, and every course has areas to deal with before the frosts come.
While some work could be done on these areas, such as patching with new turf, without extensive irrigation and access to far more water than they’d normally use, greenkeepers were left with no options other than to wait for growing conditions to return.
To put in perspective how bad the conditions have been for growing grass, Northumbrian Water recorded 327mm of rainfall from January to September – 58% of the average – making this the third driest year since records began. Only 1887 and 1959 were drier in the North East. At Ganton, we had 9.2mm of rain in April, and just 13.6mm in August.
Traditionally, September and October are the best months for grass recovery. However, we must also be aware that these are very important months for clubs financially as golfers make the most of the last of the good weather. As always, work today must be looked at over the long term and its benefits for 6-12 months’ time must be weighed against the disruption caused.
In short, in the coming weeks we need to get the dead stuff out and get new seed in before the frosts come. It’s important to note that as dead areas get wet, they will look worse until new grass is in place.
Work will include spiking, coring, slitting and drilling to open up the compacted and potentially hydrophobic surface and let moisture in. You’ll also see more applications of fertilisers and products including wetting agents as well as a lot of seed spreading to establish new, more favourable grasses. You’ll see this work paired with signage, painted lines and ropes to keep foot traffic off these areas. Please stay clear of these as they begin to grow – any traffic will only disrupt and slow the recovery process.
Unfortunately, this work can’t all be done in the week before the first frost. At clubs carrying out a lot of work – I suggest getting preferred lies on as soon as you can as this will alleviate any issues for golfers playing on fairways and surrounds undergoing processes like slitting and coring.
This year has been a tough one for greenkeepers, with a lot of stress caused by things far outside our control and grass simply not growing. Everyone will be working hard to make the most of the autumn, so try to bear that in mind when you see us out there – there’s a lot to do in a short, rapidly closing window.
Make the most of your time on the course as we head into autumn and winter, and follow the rules and play around the areas undergoing renovation. With a bit of decent weather and some luck, courses will be back to their best next season.
