As golf course owners and managers, you’re always looking for ways to keep your turf looking luxurious and your fairways pristine. Water plays a big role in achieving that. There’s a problem though- water is limited. That means you have to be responsible for its usage.
There’s some good news though. There are plenty of strategies we can employ to conserve water without sacrificing the quality of our courses. And that’s what this article will talk about.
. Embrace Precision Irrigation
We’re way past the use of watering can and manual irrigation. Irrigation systems are available that can be programmed and timed to water your turf whenever. And even that is somewhat outdated.
There’s precision irrigation technology today, like the Toro Sprayer, that uses advanced systems that come with moisture sensors to provide real-time data on soil moisture levels across the course. That way, you’re not just guessing when a particular area needs water. You know for sure.
You’ll use water much more efficiently, reduce waste, and keep your turf in pristine condition.
There’s one thing though- they are very expensive. Checking out the price before will make you think twice, but it pays off in the long run. Apart from a drop in your water bills, you’ll also notice an improvement in the health of your turf. Definitely a win-win.
2. Switch to Drought-Resistant Grass Varieties
By now, you should know there are dozens of varieties of grass out there, and knowing which one you have growing on your turf is the first step in managing it. If you’re still using traditional varieties that do nothing but guzzle water, you may have to change your strategy. By change, I mean get drought-resistant grasses.
Varieties like Bermuda and Buffalo grass are tough. They require minimal attention to stay green and lush. Switching might seem Herculean of a task but you should really consider it, especially if you’re in an area prone to water shortages.
You don’t have to switch overnight though. Start with a few test areas and see how they perform. If those turn out ok, you continue with the rest of the turf. These grasses hold up really well, even in driest conditions.
3. Recycle and Reuse Water
Probably the most obvious step in conserving water usage on your golf course is recycling and reusing water. I mean, why use freshwater for irrigation when you can recycle what you’ve already got?
First, get the wastewater from various sources around your facility. I’m talking clubhouse sinks, showers, and even treated sewage effluent. You can safely use this water for irrigation after it’s been treated (with the right treatment system in place of course).
This method is great because it reduces your reliance on freshwater sources. By using wastewater produced on your own turf, you have a sustainable, long term solution to your irrigation needs.
4. Get Strategic with Course Vegetation
When we think about water conservation, we often focus just on the grass. But there’s more to the gold course. If you switch up your approach just a bit, you can really improve your water usage.
First part of the strategy should be the non-play areas. Do they really need to be lush? Can’t they be transformed into water-wise landscaping? Think about replacing some turf with native plants as those require less water.
Also consider the competition. Although trees add beauty and challenge to the course, their roots can compete for water and that won’t be good for the health of the grasses in the long run. Consider root pruning for trees near critical turf areas in order to reduce the competition.
5. Educate Your Team and Members
Conserving water on a turf requires team effort. That’s why you should educate the rest of your team on these strategies. Your maintenance staff should be first in line to learn these techniques.
Organize regular training sessions in proper water application, equipment maintenance, and the importance of conservation. It’ll go a long way in achieving your goal of conserving water.
Don’t stop there though. Get your members involved as well. Explain to them why your water-saving efforts matter so they’re fully on ground with it, and know it’s not just a trend.
Conclusion
There are a lot of strategies to employ if your aim is to reduce water usage on your turf. These are just a few. Implementing the ones listed here isn’t just good for the environment but business too as water costs have put their foot to the pedal. So taking these steps to conserve now will save you headaches down the line.
And don’t forget that you don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one of two strategies and build from there. Some might be too expensive to try out, others won’t. Reach out to other course managers as well or local conservation groups for advice if you’re feeling in a bind.
