USGA Green Section Record, September 1, 2017 Share: Like 0 Share Tweet We would appreciate your feedback. Take the USGA Green Section Record survey. The Economics Of Golf Course Maintenance By David Oatis and Robert Vavrek When it comes to cutting costs, there is a big difference between eliminating needless amenities and compromising essential agronomic programs. The good news is that the recession caused golf facilities to re-evaluate maintenance practices, presentation options and course amenities. Many golf courses were forced to differentiate between essential and nonessential maintenance programs so they could focus on what matters most. Surprisingly, some cost-saving changes had positive effects on playability and aesthetics. Numerous strategies have recently been utilized to reduce golf course maintenance costs; read more for a brief review of the more common strategies and their overall impacts. Read More Share Your Thoughts The USGA, in an ongoing effort to ensure that we continue providing the greatest value to our readers, would greatly appreciate your anonymous feedback on the USGA Green Section Record. Please share your thoughts by taking this brief, 2- minute survey. Take The Survey Multimedia Content Fore The Golfer Video Infographic Are Golf Course Accessories Worth The Hidden Costs? The Ins And Outs Of Aeration Golf course accessories provide conveniences to golfers, but they also come with their own set of hidden costs. This glimpse into the behind-the- scenes implications of golf course accessories might just make you reconsider their necessity while providing opportunities to improve playing conditions. Have you ever wanted to know more about putting green aeration? Check out the latest USGA infographic. It provides a quick overview of this important agronomic practice, from its benefits and optimal timing to the variables superintendents manipulate to achieve success, in a ready-to- share format. Watch Video View Infographic Green Section Collection: Planning For The Future These interactive digital collections include additional supporting articles, a photo gallery and videos that provide relevant information on the primary subject. The collections can be viewed online in a user-friendly digital magazine format, saved as a PDF or printed. View Collection Research You Should Know Fore The Golfer Buffalograss Fairways Maintaining Bunkers For Playability, Not Perfection To help optimize fairway playing conditions, budgets and responsible resource management, USGA-sponsored research at the University of Nebraska is investigating the performance of several common fairway grasses under various management regimes - one species in particular has significant potential. It is no secret - bunkers can be expensive to maintain. Here's how you can help reduce maintenance costs and perhaps improve overall playing conditions. With little to no effort from golfers, superintendents and their teams can focus their efforts on the maintenance practices that are most impactful. Read More Read More Regional Updates West Region Northeast Region The recent heat wave across much of the West Region is taking its toll on Poa annua putting greens. Here are five strategies that can help cool- season putting greens survive hot summer temperatures. Budget submissions are right around the corner for many golf facilities. As superintendents and decision-makers work through this process, reflecting on these three considerations may benefit next season. Read More Read More Central Region Southeast Region Early morning tee times and later sunrises means many maintenance practices have to be completed in the dark. Adjusting the first tee time can help alleviate visibility issues and improve daily playing conditions. Golf courses purchase a variety of products to help provide and protect desirable playing conditions, but marketing tactics can be deceiving. Keep these things in mind when evaluating data that supports a product. Read More Read More United States Golf Association 77 Liberty Corner Road Far Hills, NJ 07931 908.234.2300 Contact Us Stay Connected with the USGA Important Links USGA Privacy Policy USGA Green Section Home Page USGA Staff Contact Information Course Consulting Service Information USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online (TERO) ©2017 by United States Golf Association® Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section Publications USGA Green Section publications are made available through the courtesy of the United States Golf Association (USGA®). The reuse of these materials is authorized only if the following conditions are met in their entirety. This policy applies to all Green Section publications, including articles, videos, presentations, and webcasts. 1) Adherence to all components of our Conditions for Reuse policy. 2) Inclusion of the appropriate Reprint Permission Language. 3) Notification of your Intent To Reprint Content. The USGA Green Section Record (ISSN 2156-5813) is published twice monthly via electronic mail by the United States Golf Association®. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/USGA-Green-Section-Record--September-1--2017.html?soid=1103157499740&aid=9nAlL4gkFNU[9/1/2017 8:14:56 PM]  ‌