Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
'pin') topped by a small coloured flag is usually placed inside the cup so
that golfers can see the location of the hole from a distance. In addition to
these basic requirements, which usually satisfy recreational players, nu-
merous additional stipulations must be followed during official golf
tournaments but will not be addressed in this volume.
The location of the hole is usually changed daily to prevent localized
excessive wear and shoe cleat marks on the green. The hole should be cut
(with a cup-cutter) in an area as free as possible of ball marks, cleat marks
or scuffed places. The cutting must be done with great care, and the sides
of the hole must be perfectly perpendicular to the surface. The plug cut
from the new hole must be placed in the old hole, and turf should be
carefully trimmed around the edges. Light top-dressing can be placed
around the perimeter of the plug, gently firmed with the hand and then
watered.
The collar (sometimes called the 'fringe') is a band 1-1.5 m wide that
surrounds the putting green and is mowed to a height intermediate
between that of the fairway and that of the putting surface. It is consid-
ered an integral part of the green, and its maintenance, except mowing
height, is the same as for the green.
The Tee
The teeing ground is the starting place for the golf hole being played. It is
usually rectangular, but can be of any shape. Two tee markers are placed
on the surface to define a line behind which the golf ball must be placed
for the initial stroke. A teeing ground can be of any size, but it should be
large enough to allow for frequent relocation of the tee markers to
prevent excessive localized wear. A problem on teeing grounds that
greens do not share is
divots
(Fig. 9.7). A divot is a piece of turf that is
torn up by the club as it strikes the ball; a divot opening is the resulting
scar on the turf surface.
Because tees are subject to intense traffic, their soil should be very
similar to that for putting greens. Grasses used on tees recuperate rapidly
from wear, tolerate close mowing and provide a dense, tight turf, as well
as tolerating soil compaction and wear. Cynodon, zoysia grass, paspalum
and serangoon grass are well adapted for use on tees. In the tropics,
Zoysia japonica
for tees seems to be the best choice because of its excellent
wear tolerance and dense, uniform surface. Seashore paspalum is also
increasingly used.
Like putting greens, tees should be inspected before mowing for
foreign objects. Tees are usually mowed lower than fairways but higher
than putting greens. The tee surface should be relatively smooth, firm
and uniform, and should provide a comfortable stance for the golfer.
