Being on the Grounds Crew here at EC we get alot of questions. These are a few that we get frequented with. We thought we would take the time to let people know why we do certain things to help with the condition of the course.

Q: Why is it necessary to poke all those holes in the green once or twice a year?

A: Poking holes in the green is actually called "aerifying." There are lots of benefits to doing this once or twice a year but here are the main reasons why we do this at Eagle Creek. The main reason to aerify is to remove potential "black layer" from your soil under the grass plant. Black layer is caused from excessive water or an area laying wet for long periods of time. This black layer froms about 2-4 inches from the surface, thus causing your roots to only grow that much. Once plant roots find water they will stop growing. Longer the roots= better and more healthy greens. You will also not get the "exploding ball mark" if you have no black layer. Another reason we aerify is to open up channels for roots to grow along with providing more oxygen to help the plant flourish. These are just a couple of the main reasons we aerify.


Q: What is the point of filling a divot if the ground is going to eventually grow back anyways?

A: The main reason that you should repair your divot is overall appearance of the course and also you would not like it if you hit a tee shot perfect, right down the middle and walk up to find your ball in someone elses divot. This is one of the worst feelings in golf.


Q: Is it really that necessary to keep carts on the path around the greens and tees?

A:  In a perfect world every person who played golf would never miss a fairway or green. And well, lets face it no one is a perfect golfer "Tiger proved this to us on Thanksgiving". So as we miss the green we are now forced to chip or pitch the ball from a perfect lie everytime right? Wrong! Cart traffic around the green can severely cripple even a decent chipper let alone someone who has the yips when it comes to advancing the ball a few yards. We would all love to have the ball sit up, lay that face wide open and slide right under that pitch shot like carving butter. "Wait a sec someone just drove their cart where my ball has come to rest!" Now instead of an easy pitch I am left trying to manipulate some sort of shot off of a tight, bare lie. So please, keep your carts on the path around the green and it will make golf an easier game.


Q: All I hear when I play golf is "Please repair your ball marks" whats the big deal?

A: Most people who arrive at a golf facility expect the club to have perfect looking and rolling greens. Fixing ball marks is the easiest way to help the facility keep the greens up to the standard that you the golfer looks for. Not fixing a ball mark leaves a hole in the green and a light colored dead spot once the ball mark tries to grow. Once the ball mark cannot grow it simply dies, thus leaving an imperfection on the green. Reparing a ball mark is also reparing the roots to grow again and takes about 5 secs. A ball mark repaired within 10 mintues will be completely healed with a few days as to one that is not, may remain brown for months to come.


So remember Fix your divots, ball marks and keep your carts on the path and not only will it make golf an easier game you will have the "Golf Gods" on your side and you know how important that is. Thanks and happy hacking. ------