Superintendents' Challenges to Managing Turf

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THE BEGINNING.

Education and experience have provided golf course Superintendents worldwide with an understanding of how to effectively grow grass—and manage the diverse weed issues that develop.

From the onset, the premier universities introduce future Superintendents to turf and weed management. Also, the current Commercial applicator certifications required by all US states require extensive knowledge of the best methods of chemical usage. 

However, nature has an interesting way of changing how we manage the grounds we have been entrusted to care for daily. Today, golf courses are designed for and constructed in various climates and on diverse terrains. 

From deserts to volcanic material to reclaimed swamps and bogs to flatlands and mountains, the placement of golf courses is diverse. Thus, diversity in geographic locations and environments makes golf courses scenic.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION.

From the onset, architects strive to incorporate local conditions; in addition, they are faced with certain requirements by the golf course owners.

Leading with Sustainable Design, today’s designers and architects must incorporate innovative Water Management solutions to counter global climate changes and water availability and frequency. Ranging from the source to rain harvesting practices, minimal usage, and the incorporation of drought-resistant grasses in addition to native landscaping, water usage and maintenance, and weed control are key guidelines.

Next, innovative irrigation technology comes into play and influences not only the product condition and growth but also weed growth. All superintendents know what happens when too much water is applied to the various products. (Tees, Fairways, Greens, and Roughs)

Accordingly, the golf course design sets up the course for commercial success and years of maintenance. Reviewing the chemical application history, broadcast spraying advanced from the hand application of chemicals.

1960'S & APPLICATION.

The 1960s were an essential period in chemical application. Most chemicals utilized by the golf industry in the 60’s were predominately granular. And spread by pull-behind spreaders—or again, spread manually. The chemical industry rapidly expanded with advancements in chemistry, and the advent of bulk liquid chemicals that required a mixture with the correct water ratios usage grew quickly.

Next, equipment manufacturers took notice, and new or modified equipment with boom sprayers were released. This trend followed Agriculture as farmers were looking for new and more efficient ways to apply chemicals. And chemical companies developed products to be applied via new sprayers. 

Fast forward to today, six large equipment companies offer sprayers for the golf industry, and two control most of the market. With the typical cost of a new (2024) Golf Course Sprayer now in the $100,000 range, many golf course Superintendents are budget-challenged. Determining to continue their conversion or upgrade to the more effective and targeted liquid chemical application equipment remains a challenge.

INNOVATION.

Technology is the key to utilizing less chemicals while achieving same or better results, and to reducing the spend on chemicals. Specifically, advances in GPS and the introduction and adoption of AI technology are the cornerstones to using less chemicals and saving more money.

Today, we all utilize GPS technology and frankly, it would be very difficult to do without. 

Currently, in the golf industry, we will “stake” our application of chemicals manually or through dropping white foam to indicate our lines of chemical application. Or we will simply spread the entire area and adjacent grounds with the granular or liquid product. 

However, with new GPS equipped equipment sprayers, Superintendents can mark their key areas of greens, fairways, tees and rough areas to ensure targeted application. Thankfully, GPS utilization is a significant advancement. The convergence of GPS with AI technology is now being introduced to the golf industry. 

Imagine, the utilization of GPS with targeted or precision spraying of chemicals directly on the invasive species—and not the entire product (fairway, green, tee or rough) that Superintendents and staff care for in a diligent, defined, and quality manner.

FINANCIAL.

Precision AI spraying is the key to achieving significant financial savings on annual chemical spend and application. The ability to only spray the invasive species and know exactly where it is located. Simple, Smart and Savings.  

Research shows that typically, annual chemical spend in the golf industry falls into these ranges:

Small Municipal Courses

$10,000–$30,000 per year.

Mid-Range Courses (Private/Semi-Private)

$30,000–$70,000 per year.

High-End or Resort Courses 

$70,000–$150,000+ per year.

Next, all Superintendents know that local conditions, weather, ownership or membership, or event organizers requirements, and general budgets, all influence spend on chemicals.

Naturally, there is a challenge that Superintendents face daily. How to do more with less and have a great looking, playable and sustainable course utilizing:

o Herbicides: For weed control (e.g., crabgrass, broadleaf weeds, etc.).

o Fungicides: To combat diseases (e.g., dollar spot, brown patch, etc.).

o Pesticides/Insecticides: For pest management (e.g., grubs, chinch bugs, etc.).

o Fertilizers: Often integrated with chemical spending to promote healthy turf.

SAVINGS.

Capture fuel, labor and chemical savings by applying less chemicals through the utilization of AI technology, retrofitted to existing equipment, coupled with GPS add, provides savings in all spend categories.

Currently, AG is experiencing savings ranging from 50% to 72%  without compromising on quality. And relative to the golf industry, we are targeting a minimum savings of 50%.

Golf is known as mini-AG and many industry innovations start in the Ag industry. This is simply due to the sheer size and diversity of Ag, and the commonality Ag shares with Golf.

We anticipate to exceed this percentage as the Superintendent gains more data provided by the AI technology and the SaaS solution.

This data includes a myriad of information points from day of the week, temps, rainfall, leaky sprinklers, product type, invasive plant species, bugs, locations of these, and numerous other data points available to the Superintendent.

Obviously, filling up the tank with the chemical and returning after the application will be the savings presented visually. Thus, per industry spending information provided in the above financial section, savings should be significant.

The challenge to achieving even more savings, is the technology adoption curve. Will you adopt or continue to think defensively, and broadcast spray—knowing no invasive plants are present.

Please feel free to contact OnPoint Precision Spraying for more information.

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