Practice Tee Etiquette

Practice Tee Etiquette:

The wet conditions have delayed the opening of the new practice area, we hope Mother Nature will cooperate reduce the rain events and warm up to allow the turf to grow vigorously.

I have been asked a few questions on the proper etiquette on divot removal on the grass tees. Below are a few pictures of divot patterns that are exhibited at HP. Ideally there is one divot pattern that should be utilized for increased recuperation and the most efficient use of turf, better known as a “lineal” divot pattern. The lineal divot pattern is a series of divots connected in a lineal fashion with a minimum of 2-3” of turf between each strip. This is the most ideal pattern allowing for a faster recovery time and the most efficient use of the hitting area. The creeping Bentgrass/Zoysia left between the divots will grow horizontally, decreasing the amount of time for recovery.

Lineal Divot Pattern-Please Use

The scattered pattern is random, similar to the lineal pattern discussed above, it also has a minimum of 2-3” between each divot. Although the scattered pattern allows for a faster recovery time it is a less efficient use of space in the hitting area, PLEASE DO NOT USE!

DO NOT USE

The third pattern is the concentrated divot pattern. This divot pattern does not allow for efficient recovery because there is no turf left in this large patch. All the recovery must be through the germination of seed, which can take 7-20 days depending on the weather conditions and the amount of traffic on the tee. This technique should be avoided.

Concentrated Divot Pattern-DO NOT USE

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent