Originally Posted by mikeod (Post 688484)

Sure. Maturing means the grass has a chance to develop a deep root system and a dense top growth. The deep root system allows it to survive on less water, and the dense top growth provides the cushioned surface to get down and through the shot. In one of these threads I mentioned a private course in San Diego that was tied to a housing development. They opened the course very soon after it was completed and the bermuda fairways soon were hard pan. They finally had to rope off half of every fairway and lay down inches of new topsoil a bit at a time so the bermuda could grow up through it. When that was complete, they did the same on the other half. But those members had to deal with half fairways for over a year.

Cutting bermuda short promotes the side growth that should fill in bare spots, but the presence of cart traffic every day, seven days a week, hinders that growth. It's a balancing act. Do you close the course for a couple of months to give the fairways a chance (or strictly enforce cart path only which has ramifications for a good number of residents), or do you keep access high by keeping the course open? Answers to that dilemma obviously depend on where you live in TV and where you like to play.

Originally Posted by Thnonne (Post 687895)

Can someone tell me why they continue to mow the golf courses when they have very little grass, bare spots and are hardpan. Wouldn't it be better to let the grass grow to a reasonable height so you are not hitting off hardpan and can get under the ball. Also, wouldn't the grass have a better chance to fill in the bare spots if it is not cut so short it can't spread. I have never heard any village golfers talk about the lush grass on villages courses. All I have heard is golfers complain about the lack of grass and the hardpan conditions.

Originally Posted by mikeod (Post 688124)

You and Kimball probably also agree that you have totally different views about what golf course conditions should be like. He describes what's wrong with them while you look for excuses to explain why they are bad. Bottom line of both sides of the debate is therefore, the conditions are bad.

Originally Posted by mikeod (Post 688667)

Glencus. I have quoted the original post on this thread. Please re-read that post and you will see that the question was primarily about mowing the fairways. My responses have been directed toward that question. No superintendent mows the fairways every day and nowhere did I say that it should be mowed short every day to encourage it to spread. What you describe about the rough is correct. Bermuda rough at the proper height will result in varying lies. Some will sit up on top, but most will sink to the bottom. Those that sink to the bottom will be difficult to extract. I suspect those that say that mowing the rough to near fairway height was done to reduce time looking for errant shots are probably correct.

It appears my efforts to provide some insight into maintaining a golf course in the south during periods of reduced rain and during periods of intense use are failing miserably against the posts of those who "know" the maintenance people and golf administration are incompetent and uncaring.

I have no more to add to this thread. Enjoy your time wherever you play.

Originally Posted by rhood (Post 688786)

Y'all are just too serious. Just go and hit the ball and have a good time. I don't care about hardpan or bare spots or rough. I can't hit well off any of these, but I still enjoy golf. I don't blame my poor play on course conditions. Quit whining.