R&A Guidelines: What Is "Essential Maintenance" During A Pandemic?

As golf shuts down in many regions, there is natural inclination to wonder about maintenance. Not because anyone will be Stimping greens or measuring blade heights when a course reopens. We hope.

However, as know from Depression and World War era reports, golf courses that shut down were often lost or never quite the same due to a lack of maintenance. So to avoid compounding the economic problems induced by the COVID-19 virus, basic maintenance of many things must continue to avoid a world returning to deeper-than-necessary setbacks.

While there will always be detractors, doing basic maintenance will keep a facility going, keep some workers employed and reduce damage done by a shutdown. So kudos to the R&A for issuing these maintenance guidelines to address the governmental restrictions in the UK. (And for the posting by England Golf.)

Here goes:

Essential Maintenance Statement for Golf Courses during Covid 19 Outbreak

The following statement outlines those treatments considered essential for maintaining a golf course during the current government restrictions. It is accepted that golf courses exist in many different forms, on many different soil types and in differing landscapes and that this guidance may require adaption.

Mowing Greens

Greens should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of three times per week. Dew removal should be considered on non-mowing days as required to prevent disease spread.

Tees and green surrounds should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of once per week.

Fairways should be mown according to the rate of growth to a maximum of once per week.

Managed roughs and grass paths should be mown according to need to a maximum of once every two weeks (fortnightly). Only roughs considered to be in direct play should be mown allowing for naturalisation to areas largely out of play.

The height of cut adopted for all these areas is site specific but the elevation of the cutting height on fine turf areas is advised to minimise unnecessary stress on the turf. The aim of the above operations is to maintain uniformity, density, texture and health to allow surfaces to be quickly brought back to an appropriate playing standard once play resumes.

Irrigation and Nutrition

Irrigation and nutrition should be carried out as necessary but with the objectives of keeping the turf alive, maintaining a full sward and preventing turf thinning.

Avoid excesses of either input which will only serve to promote unnecessary growth and necessitate more maintenance.

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance

This should be carried out as required to ensure that essential equipment is kept safe and operational.

*Operations such as maintaining penalty areas (including bunkers), wider practice facilities(other than greens and tees), aeration, top dressing and spraying are not considered essential at this time. However, it is conceivable that occasional spraying to control an acute pest, weed or disease problem may be considered essential at times and in some circumstances.

Given the fluidity of the current situation there may be a requirement to update and re-issue this guidance in respect of future government advice.

The R&A also has this page of links and other notes for golfers and facilities.