Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 9.3. For mowing of putting greens and tees, walking mowers are preferred. They
provide the most accurate cut and minimize the chances of accidental scalping.
and loss of speed. Mowing is sometimes omitted for 1 day after top-
dressing, cultivation or fertilization; this practice does not negatively
affect turf and may actually improve its vigour. The mowing pattern is
typically changed at each mowing, so that wear is minimized and grain
does not develop. Greens are mowed in four directions, changing clock-
wise. A line running through the green from the fairway marks the 12:00
o'clock and 6:00 o'clock positions. On a given day, all putting greens on
the entire golf course might, for example, be mowed along lines parallel
to the 12:00-6:00 o'clock line. The next day they would be mowed along
lines parallel to the 3:00-9:00 o'clock line, the third day parallel to 1:30-
7:30, then 10:30-4:30, and on the fifth day back to 12:00-6:00 line. Fig-
ure 9.4 shows another possible four-day rotation. When this method is
used, mistakes are very infrequent.
During mowing, the operator must maintain straight lines of mowing
and minimal overlap between different passes. The walking mower
should be operated at a uniform speed that is low enough to avoid heel
marks on the green from long steps. Turns should be smooth and grad-
ual. Triplex riding mowers require a much wider turning area than
walking mowers; otherwise serious injury to the turf may occur. Each
mower operator must watch for gasoline, oil or hydraulic-fluid leaks.
Even small amounts dripping on the turf surface may cause ugly dead
spots. Clippings from putting greens are always collected in special
baskets and should be disposed of at a composting site or dump area.
