
Dry Weather is Creating Challenges For UK Golf Courses
This time last year, golf courses in the UK were recovering from the deluge of an exceptionally wet winter, but as we enter the height of the new season, the conversation has been transformed dramatically as remarkably dry conditions are creating problems of a different kind.
The Met Office has reported that this spring is currently tracking to be the driest in over a century.
Dry conditions have been widespread, most notably in the North of England and North East of Scotland, but few places have escaped weather that has raised concerns that we could see drought restrictions throughout the summer.
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Scotland - which some outsiders seem to believe is under constant rainfall - has seen its driest start to the year since 1964, with environment agency Sepa reporting that 23 areas surrounding major bodies of water - including the Clyde, Dee, Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay - are now seeing a level of water scarcity.
This has led to Scottish Water asking customers to use supplies sparingly where possible.
In Leuchars, just a few miles from the spiritual Home of Golf, St Andrews, it (at the time of writing) hasn't rained for 25 days.
But what does this mean for our beloved golf courses? The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is calling on golf clubs and golfers across the UK to support their members and recognise the unique challenges facing greenkeepers.
They have said in a new article: "Wales recorded its driest March since 1944, while East Anglia experienced its second-driest March on record. With May showing little improvement, greenkeepers are under extreme pressure to maintain playing surfaces amid growing turf stress."
David Byron, Head Greenkeeper at Thorndon Park Golf Club in Essex, said: "It’s very, very dry. It’s the driest start to spring in nearly 70 years. We’ve had almost no rain, and what we have had has come in just one hit.
"In our fairways, we’re down to about 3-4% moisture content. Normally, you’d want 10 to 15% for the grass species we have."
When it comes to turf recovery and maintenance, the problems are clear, especially in areas without irrigation, such as fairways, with those surfaces suffering in places while efforts are made to preserve greens and tees. Warm days and cold nights have combined to disrupt seasonal growth and slow recovery from winter damage.
Royal Aberdeen’s Course Manager, Richard Johnstone, said he had recorded just 11mm of rainfall between April and early May: "We’re experiencing extreme weather patterns. There’s no longer a balance. Instead, we’re seeing one extreme or the other - either constant pouring rain or complete drought.
"There doesn’t seem to be much consistency anymore, and that presents some big challenges."
What should golf clubs do? Communication is key.
"Our advice to clubs is to engage in professional dialogue with your Course Manager, set agreed objectives and show open support for your team of greenkeepers," said BIGGA’s CEO Jim Croxton.
"They will be much more motivated and determined to overcome these challenges with strong support from their members."
"As course managers, it’s our responsibility to communicate and educate," added Johnstone. "We need to use various channels like social media, blogs, and other platforms to help people understand the current conditions and our management approach."
While it's undeniably enjoyable for us to bask in the sunshine and as golfers we appreciate playing in nice weather, for the sake of the golf courses, we really could do with just a bit of rain before the summer arrives.
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