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Almost three-quarters of the planet is covered by water, but there is not enough of it to move around. Its invaluable value has inspired the United States Golf Association to launch a $30 million initiative aimed at helping courses reduce water use by 45 percent over the next 15 years.
As the industry seeks to cut costs, so can golfers.
Earlier this year, at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s annual conference, GOLF.com asked supervisors what the most common yard care mistakes they see. Check out the video here:
The number one response was “mismanagement of water” (or some version of that).
So, what are those pitfalls and how can they be corrected?
We tapped Mark Patterson, supervisor of Legacy at Lakewood Ranch and Serenoa GC, in Florida, to walk us through problems and remedies.
1. Over-watering
the problem: Set it and leave it. Looks like a new swing assist. In fact, it’s a mistake homeowners often make: They set their irrigation system on a timer and never give it a second thought, and they let it run, even when it’s raining. This is a waste of water and is also bad for the grass, which suffers when it gets too much of a good thing.
deadlockFive words: online irrigation control systems. And now three more words: invest in one. Relatively inexpensive (starting at about $150) and easy to install, these tools connect to local weather stations and send you wireless alerts, so you only water when your lawn really needs it. This is good for your yard. And great for your wallet. In about a year, Patterson says, the investment will pay for itself through savings on your water bill.
2. Play a guessing game
the problemSupervisors have sophisticated tools to measure everything from soil moisture to evaporation rate. Most homeowners simply rotate them, watching them in their yards and guessing if and when they need water.
deadlockSimple moisture meters, designed for the home, are readily available and easy to use. And if it gets too complicated, here’s the hack: Patterson suggests sticking a butter knife about three inches into the soil. If the tip of the knife feels dry when you pull it out, your herb needs a brew.
3. Bad timing
the problem: not just how to water. It’s when you water. Wait until the sun is up and it’s on fire, and you risk wasting water through evaporation. As the day wears on, winds can kick in, messing with your spray patterns and sending water where it’s not meant to go.
deadlock: Water before sunrise, so the lawn has a chance to get a good soak and then dry off when the sun comes up. A lawn left to sit in moisture can develop fungus and other problems, which is why it’s not a bad idea to water at night—although warm-season grasses, Patterson says, can tolerate it better than their cool-season counterparts.
4. Wrong irrigation system
the problemPipe leaks. Sprinkler heads malfunction. Sprinkle water on sidewalks instead of on grass. Irrigation systems are no different than the rest of us: They wear out, waste water, and in some cases, leave your lawn a barren wasteland along the way.
deadlock: maybe you are an expert in irrigation. But chances are, you aren’t. This is the bad news. The good news is that it’s not hard to find someone who knows what they’re doing. “I talk to a lot of homeowners who say, ‘There was a guy from a company who gave up his place, saying he could check my irrigation system once a month, but I didn’t think it was worth it,'” says Patterson. Find reputable clothing and spend a little money now to save yourself a lot of headaches later.