Winter Hole Changing – Slow Down

 

Winter presents unique challenges for golf course maintenance, particularly on bentgrass putting greens like those at Brickshire Golf Club. With slower growth rates during the colder months, the turf becomes less resilient to wear and tear. To ensure the long-term health of our greens, we take a deliberate and thoughtful approach to winter hole changing.

 

Our Approach to Winter Hole Changing

 

At Brickshire, we cut two pin locations per green during the winter, allowing us to distribute golfer traffic evenly and minimize wear. To cover the unused hole for the day, we use cup covers. While they don’t provide much turf protection, they allow us to rotate between two locations without leaving an open hole, ensuring the greens remain playable and consistent for golfers.

 

Why Slowing Down is Important

 

Bentgrass grows minimally in cold weather, making it slower to recover from any damage. Rushed or overly frequent hole changes can leave behind unsightly plugs that take weeks—or even months—to heal, affecting both aesthetics and ball roll.

 

By carefully rotating between two pin locations and limiting changes to twice per week, we give the turf ample time to recover. This helps reduce stress on the greens, ensuring they remain healthy and ready for peak season play.

 

Additionally, when the greens profile is frozen, any maintenance—such as cutting cups, rolling, or mowing—can cause root shearing. We work hard to regrow roots after the summer to prepare for the next season. While this approach may occasionally fall short of in-season expectations for playability, the long-term benefits to turf and root health far outweigh the sacrifices. Honestly, frozen greens tend to roll quite fast anyway!

 

Course Conditions and Player Impact

 

Winter golf requires a balancing act between maintenance and playability. Here’s what you can expect during the colder months:

   •      Slower Recovery: Any damage, whether from play or maintenance, takes longer to heal.

   •      Frost Delays: Frost can delay tee times, especially on shaded greens that retain cold longer.

   •      Optimal Placement: Pins are strategically placed to spread out traffic and protect high-stress areas.

 

Cup Covers and the Rules of Golf

 

Cup covers not only allow us to maintain multiple pin positions but also adhere to the Rules of Golf. Under Rule 16.1, a cup cover is considered ground under repair. If it interferes with your stance, swing, or line of play, you are entitled to free relief:

      1.  Determine the nearest point of relief that is not closer to the hole.

      2.  Drop your ball within one club length of this point, no nearer to the hole.

 

It’s important to note: Golfers should not remove cup covers. These covers are in place to facilitate maintenance and ensure consistency for all players.

 

Protecting the Greens

 

Golfers can also contribute to the health of the greens by practicing proper etiquette:

   •      Carefully remove your ball from the hole without damaging the edges.

   •      Avoid using the flagstick or your putter to retrieve balls, as this can damage the hole and flagstick.

 

A Collaborative Effort

 

Winter golf is a team effort, and your cooperation helps us maintain the exceptional conditions you expect at Brickshire Golf Club. By respecting the course, observing proper etiquette, and understanding the reasoning behind our hole-changing strategy, you play a key role in ensuring the health of our greens.

 

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate the challenges of winter golf course maintenance. Together, we can ensure that Brickshire’s greens emerge in excellent shape for the spring season.