Turf Talk By: Geoff Sheffield

What’s in That Sprayer?

Golfers often see our maintenance team applying products to the course and may wonder, “What’s in that sprayer?”

Occasionally, the answer is a fungicide, but most of the time we are applying plant-health products or a carefully selected mixture of nutrients and treatments designed to keep the turf healthy.

Fungicides are used only on the greens and only when necessary. We typically make five or six fungicide applications each year, with most taking place during the winter months when disease pressure is highest. These applications are clearly communicated to golfers through signage at the front entrance and in the Golf Shop.

The products most frequently applied to the fairways and tees include wetting agents, calcium and small amounts of nitrogen. Applications to the greens are generally more complex and may include small amounts of macronutrients, micronutrients, amino acids, biostimulants, citric acid and sea kelp rich in natural plant hormones called auxins. We also apply a growth regulator and wetting agents to the greens each week.

A wetting agent is a polymer-based turf product that works much like a moisturizer does for your skin. It helps water move more evenly through the soil, reducing dry areas and improving the turf’s ability to absorb moisture. Soil microorganisms also feed on components of the product, which supports the biological health of the soil. That makes wetting agents a double win for us: they help manage moisture while also supporting the microorganisms that contribute to healthy turf.

There is much more science involved in our plant-health program, but this provides a simple explanation of what we are applying and why.

The course is in great shape, and we hope everyone is enjoying their game. Remember your sunscreen—and swing smoothly!

— Geoff Sheffield, Golf Course Superintendent