PTS Turf Tidbits

 By Trigg Langner

Over the past year, we’ve added another service to our arsenal: artificial driving range tees. While natural grass tees are a staple for many golfers, these new artificial tees are designed to give the grass a much-needed break. By using mats to hit from, we’re able to keep the grass healthy and pristine all year long, ensuring an excellent experience for golfers no matter the season.

Why Artificial Tees?

The main benefit of installing artificial tees is to provide the natural grass with the opportunity to rest and recover. Grass tees, when used continuously, can quickly wear out, leaving them uneven and unhealthy. With artificial mats, golfers can still enjoy their practice sessions without causing damage to the grass, giving it time to regenerate. This ensures that the natural tees are in top condition when it's time to use them again.

The Installation Process

Installing artificial tees is a meticulous process, but it’s well worth the effort. Here’s an inside look at how we do it:

    1    Laying Out the Dimensions

The first step is to determine the dimensions for the artificial tee. Precision is key to ensuring the mat fits perfectly into the space and aligns well with the natural range layout.

    2    Sod Cutting

After the layout is marked, we sod cut a ring around the outside of the designated tee area. This step creates space for easier integration with the existing grass once the installation is completed. The sod cut will allow us to blend the new area seamlessly into the existing landscape.

    3    Soil Preparation

Next, we use the Imants Koro FTM machine to remove up to 5 inches of material from the area. This step is vital for ensuring the ground is prepared for the concrete slab that will form the base of the tee. The Koro FTM is a high-precision tool designed to strip away excess soil and create a level surface.

    4    Pouring the Concrete Slab

With the area prepped, we move on to pouring a 4-inch concrete slab. This slab serves as the foundation for the artificial tee, providing stability and a solid base for the mat installation. Once the concrete is poured, we allow it to set fully before proceeding.

    5    Mat Installation

Once the concrete has set, the next step is to install the artificial mat. The mat we use for this tee is 1 1/8 inches thick, which ensures the tee is just above the natural grass surface. This height is crucial for maintaining a consistent teeing height while protecting the integrity of the surrounding grass.

    6    Sealing the Mat

The mat is then carefully glued to the concrete base, ensuring that it’s securely in place and ready for use. The adhesive used is designed to withstand weather conditions and high foot traffic, ensuring the mat remains in top condition for a long time.

Ready to Tee Off

With the artificial tee installed and ready to go, golfers can now hit away without worrying about damaging the grass. The flexibility of using mats gives the natural tees the chance to rest, keeping the driving range in excellent condition all year long. So whether you're working on your swing or just enjoying a casual practice session, the new artificial tees ensure that the range remains in top form—bombs away!

In conclusion, artificial driving range tees not only enhance the golfer’s experience but also ensure the long-term health of the grass tees. It’s a win-win solution that benefits both players and the course alike.

By Mark Langner

Travel day! Headed  back home after attending and presenting at the Texas Turfgrass conference in Corpus Christi Texas. First trip to Corpus Christi and the venue was excellent.  

Riley Maxey with GLK Solutions and I presented on Fraize mowing and all the experience and expertise we have on the topic.  

Fraize mowing and the utilization of the Koro FTM for many renovation activities is becoming an industry standard.  We continue to add new customers to our list and are now starting to see repeat customers that are planning these activities on 3 year rotations.  We feel we have developed an industry leading understanding of the Koro ftm and how to best utilize the product. 

 If we can help you with any Fraize mowing questions or  renovation activities let us know. 

By Christian Adkins

Have you noticed that the turf closest to your tree line is suffering from thinning or starting to develop some bare spots? You may have feeder roots creeping their way into your turf.

Feeder roots are one of the main reasons that golf courses all over the country suffer with thin areas close to their trees. One of the best solutions to help remedy this issue is by using the Imants RootPruner. The Imants RootPruner is a one pass system that can cut roots up to 6’’ in diameter with little to no surface disruption and almost no cleanup afterwards. The RootPruner has a unique dual blade cutting system that helps prevent encroachment, loss of nutrients, and water in the soil by cutting the root in two different places. This ensures that the root no longer has the ability to take vital nutrients from the turf.

During Spring green up, you will be able to see a definitive line of where the RootPruner ran. From where the root was cut, the grass outside the line, going away from the tree, is green and lush. The grass inside the line towards the trees will show signs of struggling and not greening up as quickly. Running the RootPruner would be a welcome addition to any superintendents yearly plan. It can only be a benefit to your program by helping create healthy, thriving turf.

By Trigg Langner

The past couple months have been filled with laser grading ball fields around the southeast. 

Maintaining baseball and softball infields in city parks can be a challenging task. One common question is, "How often should we laser grade these infields?" The answer depends on several factors, including field usage, maintenance levels, and the type of athletes. High-traffic fields should be laser graded annually, with a maximum of two years between grading if budget constraints are a concern. The frequency varies with the intensity of play and the age of the athletes—older, larger players tend to cause more wear on the field.

Laser grading helps maintain a smooth, level surface, reducing safety hazards and preventing the need for costly mid-season repairs. It addresses issues like low spots, uneven terrain, and water drainage problems that can arise due to wear from cleats, wind, and rain. Grading ensures a safer, more playable surface, preventing dangerous conditions like exposed base anchors and uneven footing that can lead to injuries.

Laser grading is a cost-effective way to avoid major field renovations. Grading every one to two years can save significant money, as delaying it may lead to larger problems requiring expensive repairs, such as sod replacement and grading to fix large lips and drainage issues. Such renovations can cost $20,000 or more. Regular grading not only improves playability and safety but also reduces long-term maintenance costs!

By Mark Langner

Is there any better feeling than the first cut on a newly seeded turf.  Sure the first mowing on sod and sprigs is rewarding but it can’t compare to the first cut in a cool season turf area.  Of course the poa germinated first but the Legacy is in stock and in a few more weeks we will begin the cleansing(we hope) 

Hope we got it down soon enough to mature and be ready for spring. 

By Mark Langner

Poa is a beast! We hate this stuff in the southern turf market while others have embraced it and found a way to make it great in certain situations. For now poa is still a weed(“plant out of place”) in the warm season turf market.

Recently a field we maintain had a more than desired amount of poa in the 3 to 4 leaf stage in mid September. Even after Sulfonyl urea apps, during a very dry year, high temps, and a very dense bermuda stand.  

Yes we went in and sprayed glyphosate at 5oz prior to overseed, ha it laughed at that application. 

Looks like seed head suppression is in our near future along with a good Fraize mow and reset. 

We will let you know how that turns out!