Trends for The Future of

Turf Maintenance

Richard WalneBoard and Education Committee Member

Asian Golf Industry Federation

&

Managing Director Australia & Asia Pacific

The Toro Company

Golf Course Maintenance Management Conference

Philippines December 2013

Keeping up with Technology

Who would have thought……..

What does it mean for our Industry?

Light and Frequent Topdressing

• Gone are the days of heavy topdressing

• Too Disruptive to play

• Too longer to recover

Light and Frequent Topdressing

• Aggressive grass species require light and frequent topdressing

• Smoother ball roll• Firmer Greens• Reduce Thatch build up

“Dusting”

VENTING

“Common Goal of Golf Industry is to Enhance the Golf

Players Experience”

Key Contributors to Golf Players

Experience

Membership

Service

and

Marketing

Club Management

Food & Beverage

Turf Maintenance

Fleet Operations and Maintenance

Environmental and Water Management

Architects

Consultants

Designers

Developers

Real Estate

Management

Golf Players

Experience

Goal Playability and Aesthetics

Manage Key Resources

To Maintain Quality and Playability

Water

Labor

Equipment

Chemicals

Water

Labor

Equipment

Chemicals

Key Resources

Water

Turf Performance, Scarcity and Cost, Quality

Labor

Productivity, Availability, Skills, Timing

Equipment

Cost, Efficiency, Emissions, Environmental

Chemicals

Costs, Environmental

Technologies

Allow us to be more precise and improve turf quality

Enable us to diagnose and be more productive and efficient

To offer us alternative fuel options and reduce environmental

impact

Technologies

Allow us to be more precise and improve turf quality

Precision Turf Management:Turf Quality vs Inputs

Turf quality

Playability

Uniformity

Turf quality

Playability

Uniformity

Resource useManagement costs

Labor Environmental impact

Resource useManagement costs

Labor Environmental impact

Low Low High High

Low Low

High High

Zone of normal operation today• Best we can do with info we have• Safe – predictable outcome

Zone of normal operation today• Best we can do with info we have• Safe – predictable outcome

Zone of maximum efficiency through Precision• Highest turf quality for the least inputs• Small margin of error

Zone of maximum efficiency through Precision• Highest turf quality for the least inputs• Small margin of error

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Sand Sand Silt Silt Clay Clay

Clay %

Silt %Sand %

Soil variability

Soil mapping 2002-03

• Soil conditions are the dominant influence on fertility and soil moisture storage

TextureOrganic matter contentBulk density, compactionChemical properties – pH, nutrient levels

• Soil properties are highly variable –understanding soil variability is the key to precision management

9/1/20049/1/2004 9/30/20049/30/2004 6/22/20056/22/2005 6/28/20056/28/2005 7/6/20057/6/2005 7/19/20057/19/2005 7/19/20067/19/2006

Sand Sand Silt Silt Clay Clay

Clay %

Silt %Sand %

< 25%

25 - 30%

30 - 35%

35 - 40%

40 - 45%

45 - 50%

50 - 55%

55 - 60%

60 - 65%

> 65%

Dry

Soil

Wet

Soil

Soil Moisture(VWC%)

••

••

Soil moisture mapping 2004

Two important observations:

1) Soil moisture distribution is consistent over time

2) Soil moisture patterns reflect soil texture.

Two important observations:

1) Soil moisture distribution is consistent over time

2) Soil moisture patterns reflect soil texture. Soil Moisture as VWC (% volumetric water content)

243

375

740

674

780

581

500

408

234

343

324

233

181

138

201

499

128

151

113

159

154

120

163

252

285

320

285

165

194

771

529

673

361

378

365

286

183

160

120

158

137

137

175

143

119

108

174

157

164

254

247

247

295

244

128

301

429

514

953

776

744

647

539

421

318

262

179

155

129

134

157

146

156

121

96

132

144

196

249

267

304

325

255

Texture & organic matter determine fertilityTexture & organic matter determine fertility

Low fertilityLow fertility

High fertilityHigh fertility

Moderate fertilityModerate fertility

Turf Quality (NDVI )10-11-04

Soil amino-N content

(function of soil organic matter)

Horgan, B.P. et.al. 2008. Using the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test on Turf. Golf Course management.Sand Silt Clay VWC

EfficiencyEfficiency• Operating budgets• Labor• Water• Chemicals• Fertilizers• Equipment

• Operating budgets• Labor• Water• Chemicals• Fertilizers• Equipment

• Precise application & management of all inputs

• Precise application & management of all inputs

PrecisionPrecisionrequires• Critical agronomic site

conditions

• Equipment performance

• Critical agronomic site conditions

• Equipment performance

InformationInformationrequires requires Sensors & GISSensors & GIS• Soil Properties

MoistureCompactionFertility Salinity

• Turf Performance/Quality• Topography/Relief• Weather • GPS

• Soil Properties

MoistureCompactionFertility Salinity

• Turf Performance/Quality• Topography/Relief• Weather • GPS

Precision Turf ManagementPrecision Turf Management

Motivations for Precision(Forces Shaping the Industry)Safety & Playability• Athlete friendly surfaces that reduce injuries

• Emphasis on uniformity & consistency of field conditions

Economics • Controlling operational costs – chemicals, fertilizers, water, electricity, fuel

• Improving management efficiency

Environmental Stewardship• Respecting the larger context of sports fields

• Sustainability - reducing water use

• Reducing chemical & fertilizer use

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions & maximizing carbon storage

Social• Satisfying needs for recreation in a challenged economy

• Addressing turf’s public image as a luxury consumer of resources

• Demonstrating a proactive & advanced approach to sustainability

• Requires science, technology and leadership

►

What site information is important?

Soils

Texture – Moisture – Surface Compaction

Topography & surface drainage

Slope aspect/orientation

Slope steepness

High points & depressions/collection points

Turf vigor (or stress)

Indicator of turf performance

Irrigation system performance

Coverage (uniformity of distribution)

Microclimate

• Sensors – to measure important attributes

• GPS – to specify the location of data points (geo-reference)

• GIS software – to interpret & display geo-referenced data

The most common problem with irrigation systems

is overwatering.

If the correct amount of water is applied the field capacity

should be reached without leaching. Excessive levels of soil

moisture, can lead to anaerobic conditions that can promote

the growth of plant and soil pathogens.

The use of remote Soil Sensors can assist in achieving the

correct irrigation application rate and timing, and permanent

under ground soil sensors can provide long term observations

of soil conditions, and changes to soil infiltration rates.

Soil Moisture and Soil Sensors

Importance of Remote Soil Sensing

• Moisture– Essential for turf health

and growth (cooling, transportation of nutrients)

– Excess can lead to poor plant/water/soil balance, compaction, plant disease growth and propagation, wasted nutrients, wet wilt and turf damage

– Factor in green speed and playing conditions

• Temperature

– Anticipate heat stress

beforehand

– Application timing and

effectiveness of:

herbicide and

insecticides, growth

regulators

– Used in insect and

disease phenology

models (degree-days)

– Weed germination

• Salinity

– Excess can lead to

toxic levels for plant

health

– Effects nutrient

availability

– Influences O2availability

– Can be a factor of

poor soil structure

Remote Turf Sensors

• Senses Moisture, Temperature and Salinity

• Wireless communication

• Web enabled software

• Easy to understand graphs

• Quick installation

• Operates on 900MHz Band Plan – no additional licence required

Communication system consisting of

sensors and repeaters which relay

information on soil moisture,

temperature and salinity to a base

station normally located in an office

near the irrigation central PC.

Utilising ethernet access the base

station transfers field sensor data to

the Turf Guard server where the

information is referenced, stored

and available to the user through

Site Vision.

Sensor

• Moisture, Salinity, Temp

• Dual Level readings

– 1. Critical root level. (no less than ¾” below turf surface)

– 2. Soil bed 11cm below Level 1

• 152m buried range (line of sight)

• 3 year battery life

• Real-time data reported up to every 5 minutes.

• Automatically joins course network

• Installs in minutes

Sensor buried 4.5

- 9 cm below

surface

Upper sensor

placed in the

centre of the root

zone for optimal

moisture sensing

11cm separates upper

and lower sensor pins

Lower sensors track

salt build up and

infiltration rates

Sensor Installation

• No disruption to turf

• No disruption to play

• No hassle for superintendents

• Powerful RF assures coverage

Soil Moisture Meter

Data Collection Vehicle

Spectrometers

measure turf vigor

Spectrometers

measure turf vigor

Soil sensors measure

moisture & salinity content

plus compaction

Soil sensors measure

moisture & salinity content

plus compaction

GPS provides latitude &

longitude referencing

and elevation data

GPS provides latitude &

longitude referencing

and elevation data

Foamer provides

navigation

Foamer provides

navigation

Data Collection Vehicle

Spectrometers

measure turf vigor

Spectrometers

measure turf vigor

Soil sensors measure

moisture & salinity content

plus compaction

Soil sensors measure

moisture & salinity content

plus compactionGPS provides latitude &

longitude referencing and

elevation data

GPS provides latitude &

longitude referencing and

elevation data

Foamer provides

navigation

Foamer provides

navigation

On-board computer

processes & logs

sensor data

On-board computer

processes & logs

sensor data

• Soil moisture• Soil salinity• Soil compaction• Turf quality• Topographic relief

• Soil moisture• Soil salinity• Soil compaction• Turf quality• Topographic relief

Soil compaction

Turf vigor

Soil moisture

Topography

Data collection & analysis processData collection & analysis process

Irrigation Management Zones

Low VWC

High VWC

Application Data Products & ImplementationOn-site – Distributor consultant• Irrigation management zones defined• Turf Guard sensor placement• SitePro/Lynx customization

Soil salinity

Primary Data Products (Google Earth format)Toro

Data collection On-site – Distributor or customer

GIS ArcView processing & analysisToro

GIS application analysis Toro

1

2

3

45

Data transmitted

electronically to Toro

Analysis products

delivered back to

customer electronically

GOLF CLUB FAIRWAYS

Turf Quality – Soil

moisture Relationship

Turf quality is closely

linked to soil moisture

as illustrated in the

data sets at right.

Reference between turf quality in photo

to color scale in map

Better understanding of site conditions

Resources – Labor – Turfgrass Health

Water management

Irrigation – Drainage – Water Quality Issues

Aerification/compaction

Affect on water movement

Critical areas

Affect on play and safety

Communication

Employees – Users – Decision Makers

Benefits of Site Specific Information

Technologies

Enable us to diagnose and be more productive and efficient

The Modern Technician

With today’s technological advancement in turf equipment, the technician has had to not only to take a more professional approach to the industry, but they are key to the success of a golf course or turf maintenance facility.

In fact as well as maintaining the equipment, many of you have a direct input or are in control of preventative maintenance planning, equipment purchase, budgeting and inventory control.

Track Equipment

• Sort the list by any category (make, model, serial

number, tracking number,

etc.)

• Enter hours or receive them automatically from a

Wireless Hour Meter

• Print an equipment fleet asset report

Wireless Option

A Base Station is installed in

your shop and receives signals

from a Wireless Hour Meter

within 250’ of equipment.

Wireless Hour Meters are easy

to install and can be retrofitted

onto almost any piece of

equipment that has its own

battery power,

Fault Diagnosis

So if something goes wrong on the machine, the first

step in diagnosis is to determine if the problem is

electrical or hydraulic.

Because the controller provides us with enhanced

diagnostic capabilities, electrical system tests can be

performed easily and quickly.

Diagnostic Advantage

• Diagnostic Lamp

• Handheld Diagnostic Tool

• Other advanced tools using Toro PC

Ground Proportional Spray System

Controls consist of an electrically operated variable flow rate valve and electronic spray monitor.

The operator sets the desired proportional amount of flow from the pump to the nozzles.

The operator observes the monitor during operation to ensure application rate remains within limits.

Bypass valves are used to balance flow when valves are turned off.

Advantage over manual system is a minor amount of speed change is automatically compensated for. (amount of speed variation depends on nozzles selected, usually 1 ~ 2 K/ph

Sprayer Operation

+

-

9101 2 3

+

-

400450500550600650700750800850900

Sprayer Operation

Computer Controlled SprayerControls consist of a computer, flow meter and a speed sensor.Computer and meter calibration are critical to accuracyThe operator enters the desired application rate into the computer and drives the sprayer within the target speed limits The computer then monitors vehicle speed and adjusts the flow to maintain the application rate (nozzle selection is critical)Bypass valves are not used as the computer controls this function Down side: cost of device -need to isolate computer from water

20

4060

80

100

Power ON

OFF

Rate 1Rate 2Manual

Flow control

Pro-Control XP

Rate 1 ERate 1 4Rate 1 48Rate 1 480

Autonomous Mowing

“Toby”“Hal”

Technologies

To offer us alternative fuel options and reduce environmental

impact

Alternate Fuels Options

� Propane

� Bio Diesel

� Batteries

� Hybrid Engines

� Fuel Cells

Engine

Mechanical

Cutting UnitGenerator

Electrical Mechanical

Hybrid Efficiency here today

Why electrical products?

• Better control

• Fewer wear parts

• Low noise

• No leaks

• Easier to maintain

• Better diagnostics and service tools

• More easily remotely diagnosed

• Lower/Zero emissions

• Higher efficiency

Why not all applications?

• Range

• How much energy can be stored on board?

• Concern about time to “refuel/recharging”

• Weight

• Energy storage (3.8 liters gasoline = 363 kilograms lead-acid batteries)

• Efficiency and cooling

• Cost

• Volumes just starting to grow and costs are starting to come down

Fuel Cells

• Why are fuel cells interesting?

• High energy storage density

• Zero Emissions (water and heat)

• Refuelable vs. rechargeable

• Not necessarily dependent upon fossil fuels

• Long life (5,000-10,000 hours)

Fuel Cell Hybrid

Greens Tester

Greens Tester

Greens Tester

When set level, moving the ball release

mechanism to the top of the ‘Greenstester’

provides the same release velocity as the

Stimpmeter. The ‘Greenstester’ can thus be used

to measure green speed.

Greens Tester

• This test should be used as an aid to monitoring the reliability of putting surfaces. It should not be used as a sole measure of surface quality –

firmness and speed must also be taken into consideration.

• The ‘Holing Out’ Test will identify issues related to foot printing on overly soft surfaces, disease scarring, grass seed head production, seasonal

variation in growth and general wear and tear.

• The Test can also be used to measure the impact of intensive maintenance procedures

• The ‘Holing Out’ Test can also be used to inform preparation for important tournaments

Greens Tester

http://www.greenstester.com/

Greens Tester

http://turfhugger.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/sti

mpmeter-vs-pelzmeter-vs-istimp.html

ConclusionsConclusions

• World class playing conditions is a goal for Golf

Courses

• Technologies will deliver new capabilities to better

manage turf conditions through precise site specific

information and application.