Playing with numbers

This presentation was given as part of the Sustainable Turfgrass Management in Asia 2015 conference at Pattaya, Thailand. The topic? Objective assessment of putting green surfaces.

What's the point of data collection? It shouldn't be just playing with numbers. One can collect reams of data about playing conditions. On their own, the data aren't useful. However, when considered in terms of how the current conditions compare to the desired conditions, and with an understanding of what maintenance work can be done to move the conditions closer to the desired ones, the data become quite useful.

Transcript

1. Playing with numbers Micah Woods Chief Scientist | Asian Turfgrass Center Handout: bit.ly/playing_numbers www.asianturfgrass.com Sustainable Turfgrass Management in Asia 2015 Pattaya, Thailand 9 March 2015
5. But what is it good for? The data are only useful when they can be used as a decision making tool. • Identify a target range. • Learn what affects green speed, surface hardness, and soil moisture. • Use data and that knowledge to work more efficiently and improve playing conditions. fine fescue England
6. Green speed, measured with a stimpmeter, as ball roll distance in feet. seashore paspalum Thailand
9. Modify the green speed by adjusting … - the mowing height - frequency of rolling - N rate - plant water status - grass species
10. Lightweight rolling is very effective in increasing green speed. fine fescue Scotland
11. Surface hardness, which I've measured with a Clegg hammer as Gmax. seashore paspalum Vietnam
14. Modify the green hardness by adjusting … - soil organic matter - soil moisture content - sand topdressing - scarification - coring - other types of cultivation
15. Sand topdressing is an important practice to control surface hardness. bermudagrass Thailand
16. Volumetric water content measured with a Theta-probe or TDR-300 in %. bermudagrass Singapore
19. Modify the soil moisture by adjusting … - irrigation - soil organic matter / sand topdressing - drainage
20. When organic matter accumulates, soil moisture can be high, with soft surfaces. seashore paspalum Hong Kong
21. To get better control of soil water, manage the accumulation of soil organic matter. seashore paspalum Hong Kong
23. Performance data can be used to improve playing conditions and to prioritize the maintenance work. For more information, see: bit.ly/playing_numbers bermudagrass New Delhi