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
   

   View Slide

2. View Slide

3. View Slide

4. View Slide

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
   

   View Slide

6. Green speed, measured with a stimpmeter,
   as ball roll distance in feet.
   seashore paspalum
   Thailand
   

   View Slide

7. View Slide

8. View Slide

9. Modify the green speed by adjusting …
   - the mowing height
   - frequency of rolling
   - N rate
   - plant water status
   - grass species
   

   View Slide

10. Lightweight rolling is very effective in
    increasing green speed.
    fine fescue
    Scotland
    

    View Slide

11. Surface hardness, which I've measured
    with a Clegg hammer as Gmax.
    seashore paspalum
    Vietnam
    

    View Slide

12. View Slide

13. View Slide

14. Modify the green hardness by adjusting …
    - soil organic matter
    - soil moisture content
    - sand topdressing
    - scarification
    - coring
    - other types of cultivation
    

    View Slide

15. Sand topdressing is an important practice
    to control surface hardness.
    bermudagrass
    Thailand
    

    View Slide

16. Volumetric water content measured with a
    Theta-probe or TDR-300 in %.
    bermudagrass
    Singapore
    

    View Slide

17. View Slide

18. View Slide

19. Modify the soil moisture by adjusting …
    - irrigation
    - soil organic matter / sand topdressing
    - drainage
    

    View Slide

20. When organic matter accumulates, soil
    moisture can be high, with soft surfaces.
    seashore paspalum
    Hong Kong
    

    View Slide

21. To get better control of soil water, manage
    the accumulation of soil organic matter.
    seashore paspalum
    Hong Kong
    

    View Slide

22. View Slide

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
    

    View Slide