How do you mow a golf course?

Asked by: Michael Gonzales

How do they cut the green on a golf course?

Rather than the more familiar rotary-style lawn mower, a specialized type of reel mower is required to cut turf at low, putting green heights. A reel mower creates a scissor-like action where turfgrass leaves are clipped by the crossing of two cutting edges—the reel blades and bedknife.

How do you cut rough on a golf course?

Make a slow wide turn to avoid scuffing the turf then line up your second pass to slightly overlap the first by about three inches. With gang mowers move completely on to the fairway.

Is there a proper mowing method?

And even professionals make major mistakes when mowing a lawn first mow the grass tall. At least 3 inches or above.

How do they cut fairways?

The most common fairway mowing methods are striping, contour mowing, the classic cut, and pushing and pulling. Striping – This is the method practiced by most golf courses. Stripes are often mowed in at least two directions to create a checkerboard pattern. This method creates a striking aesthetic appearance.

How do they cut golf course grass so short?

To keep the grass so short on greens, special mowers are used. Golf course mowers are reel mowers, not rotary like most lawn mowers used at home. The reel spins and cuts the grass like a tight scissor cut. The cut height is set by adjusting the difference between the front and rear rollers.

What kind of lawn mowers do golf courses use?

Golf

• Greens Mowers.
• Fairway Mowers.
• Rough Mowers.
• Trim and Surrounds Mowers.
• Fraise Mowers.
• Utility Vehicles.
• Outcross.
• Sprayers.

What is the first cut of rough?

First Cut of Rough



When applied to the rough on a golf course, “first cut” refers to the grass that is immediately alongside the closely mowed fairway, but grown slightly higher than the fairway grass. That rough that adjoins the fairway is the first cut of rough.

How long does it take to mow fairways?

Mowing 20 to 30 acres of fairways can easily necessitate between 6 and 10+ labor hours each mowing. In addition to labor costs, fairway mowing costs includes fuel use, mower wear, equipment maintenance and blowing or removal of clippings.

How long does it take to mow a golf course?

Golf course superintendents would much prefer to complete fairway and rough mowing ahead of play because mowing during play can be very inefficient. Unfortunately, fairway mowing often requires three to four units mowing for three to four hours to complete the process.

How often do golf courses mow the greens?

On average, greens are mowed at least five days per week, and in most cases six or seven days per week. Courses that choose to mow five or six days per week will take advantage of a closed Monday or Tuesday to skip mowing and focus more on agronomic programs like topdressing or aeration.

How do golf courses get lines in grass?

The alternating light and dark stripes you see on the golf course is caused by light reflection on the grass blades. During nationally televised golf tournaments, superintendents will mow tees and fairways in the same direction for several days.

How often should a golf course be mowed?

Greens typically need to be mown at least once every three days. Without that regular tending, they become overgrown. Getting them back up to speed is tough. Sometimes it’s impossible, and the entire putting surface has to be reseeded, and you’re looking at least two months before they’re ready for play again.

How much does a golf course mower cost?

A walking greens mower will run about $10,000 while a riding greens mower will cost roughly $40,000. A mower for fairways costs about $70,000! You may be surprised to hear that mowers used to cut putting greens are used nearly every day during the growing season and are adjusted every time they are used!

How fast does golf grass grow back?

“Research has shown that a repaired ball mark recovers weeks faster than an unrepaired one,” said Cory Adams, the superintendent of Golf Village at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, which comprises 27 holes. “It takes 48 hours to recover if a ball mark is repaired properly. If not, it takes weeks to recover.”