It's Not Easy Being Green
Like Kermit the Frog, golf course managers have a problem. It's not easy being green.
It's especially tough when the course is located in a desert or drought-stricken area. And it's getting tougher as more municipalities recognize a conflict between water conservation and golf course maintenance.
That's why golf course managers have taken the lead in finding ways to stay green while staying … green.
It may sound strange, but golf course managers have led the way in using gray (untreated) water to keep grass green. It's golf course managers who have taken the first steps in selecting native plants to ensure a healthy-looking course even during the driest weather. And it's golf course managers who pioneered the idea of using super-sharp blades when cutting grass, to maximize the health of each blade and lower the amount of water needed to keep grass growing.
Amazingly, golf course managers have actually become gurus to municipal land managers, providing insights into how to keep ball fields and parks green without breaking the bank or emptying the reservoir. A few tips from the golf pro:
Allow native grasses to grow naturally wherever possible, and replace grass with flowering plants if you possibly can.Use gray water to keep park areas irrigated.Choose grasses that require the minimum water.Cut grass with a well-sharpened blade.
The result of all this careful planning can be an up to 45 percent reduction in water use. Just as importantly, letting golf courses go "natural" has resulted in the return of wildlife in "the rough."
It may not be easy being green. But the golf pros are starting to make it a bit simpler.
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