The best playing conditions with the fewest inputs

This presentation, at the Thailand Golf Paradise Seminar in Khao Yai, is a discussion of what type of playing conditions we try to produce on golf course turf. Then for the specific conditions of Thailand, in very plain terms, I explain how those conditions are produced with the fewest inputs of water, pesticides, mowing, fertilizer, etc.

Transcript

1. The best playing conditions with the fewest inputs Micah Woods 25 July 2017 Chief Scientist | Asian Turfgrass Center www.asianturfgrass.com
2. 1. Thailand has an amazing variety of golfing surfaces
3. 1. Thailand has an amazing variety of golfing surfaces 2. Characteristics of these surfaces
4. 1. Thailand has an amazing variety of golfing surfaces 2. Characteristics of these surfaces 3. Five ways to improve conditions and reduce inputs
5. Thailand has an amazing variety of golfing surfaces
6. Phunaka GC, Phuket
7. Banyan GC, Prachuap Khiri Khan
8. Siam CC Plantation Course, Chonburi
9. Plutaluang Royal Thai Navy GC, Chonburi
10. Characteristics of these surfaces
11. Siam CC Plantation Course, Chonburi
13. Siam CC Plantation Course, Chonburi
16. ATC research area in 2008, Ayutthaya
17. Grass growth and fertilizer experiment at TISTR, Pathum Thani
18. Growth in response to nitrogen and water Table 1: Clipping yield response per unit of nitrogen and water supplied. Data from TISTR experiment (https://ashs.confex. com/ashs/2017/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/27386). Grass % N response % H 2 O response zoysia (nuan noi) 154 130 paspalum (salam) 121 110 bermuda (Tifway 419) 100 100
19. About water, the USGA say “it is essential for everyone involved in the game to strive to conserve and protect the world’s most vital resource.”
20. Sustainability in golf: “Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management.” – The R&A
21. Five ways to improve conditions and reduce inputs
22. 1. Control the growth rate Keya GC, Fukuoka
23. 1. Control the growth rate Riverdale GC, Bangkok
24. 1. Control the growth rate Plutaluang Royal Thai Navy GC, Chonburi
25. “Turfgrass management is managing the growth rate of the grass to create the desired playing surface for golf.” – Micah Woods
26. A Short Grammar of Greenkeeping http://www.asianturfgrass.com/books/
27. 2. Choose the right grass Santiburi Samui CC, Surat Thani
28. 2. Choose the right grass Ratchaprapha Dam GC, Surat Thani
29. 3. Use less water Kirimaya Golf Resort, Nakhon Ratchasima
30. 3. Use less water https://asianturfgrass.shinyapps.io/irrigation/
31. 4. Use less nutrients Use only what the grass requires, for the growth rate necessary at your course.
32. “The fundamental principle of successful greenkeeping is the recognition of the fact that the finest golfing grasses flourish on poor soil and that more harm is done by over-, rather than underfertilizing.” – Alister MacKenzie
33. 5. Do less topdressing and less core aeration Once the organic matter and growth rate are under control, one shouldn’t need to topdress and aerate as often.
34. 5. Do less topdressing and less core aeration Lamlukka CC, Pathum Thani
36. www.asianturfgrass.com