Golf Course Update May 17th 2011

Salt and Pepper Mowing Pattern on 13 Hawk Fairway


Salt and Pepper Mowing Pattern on 7 Hawk Fairway

Cutting Patterns on Fairways:

Members who have had the opportunity to play golf over the past 10 days may have noticed that Turf Care staff have continued the "salt and pepper" cutting pattern on fairways. We have been testing out this new "salt & pepper "cutting pattern periodically during the last few seasons and have determined it to be 30% more efficient with labour, time and fuel costs and it requires 2 fewer machines to complete the daily mowing of fairways compared to cross cutting. The mowers are also able to stay ahead of golfers in the morning following this mowing pattern which creates better efficiency and less golfer interference.

At this time the number one reason for performing this cutting pattern is to minimize mower turning in the rough. Because the rough did not winter we would like to keep mower traffic to minimum in the rough to provide the turf the best opportunity to recover. Fairway mowers turn up to 90 times while cross cutting a 400 yard long & 40 yard wide fairway and yet will only have to make approximately 15 turns while performing the salt and pepper pattern. Fairway mowers making sharp turns in wet or dry rough can cause tearing of the turf.


Salt and Pepper Cutting Pattern and Grain
Through the continual mowing of turf areas such as fairways and rough, grain or turf laying down in a single direction can develop. Because we have a significant amount of Annual Bluegrass with a very upright growing habit grain on fairways is minimal. If grain becomes a problem we will back cut or reverse the mowing pattern to reduce the effect of grain.


A golf ball on a (into grain) side of the fairway, shows minimal grass between the ball and club face at this time.

A golf ball on the (down grain) side of a fairway. At this point not a lot of difference between either side of the fairway.