Spring is a vital time for golf course maintenance in the UK as we transition from the colder, wetter winter months into the growing season. Green-keeping teams work diligently to prepare their courses for the increased member activity and improved playing conditions the warmer weather brings.
One of the key activities in spring is aeration. This process involves spiking or hollow-tining the greens, tees, and fairways to relieve compaction, improve drainage, and encourage healthy root growth. While it’s essential for turf health, members may notice temporary disruption to putting surfaces, including visible holes and a slightly bumpier roll. They mitigate this with topdressing – applying a thin layer of sand or soil – to smooth the surface and promote recovery.
Fertilisation and over-seeding are also common during spring. These practices enhance turf density and colour but can lead to areas being temporarily cordoned off to allow for establishment. In addition, mowing frequency gradually increases as grass growth resumes, leading to improved consistency across playing surfaces.
Clubs may also undertake bunker repairs, pathway improvements, and irrigation system checks in Spring. While these works may cause minor localised disruption, they’re generally scheduled to minimise interference with play.
For our members, course playability can vary during this period. Greens may be slower or less true immediately after aeration, and some fairways may show signs of ongoing maintenance. However, these short-term impacts are essential for long-term gains in course quality and performance.
At OGC, we can’t possibly keep track of all scheduled maintenance with regular updates. We would ask all members to be prepared for some generally minor disruption at this time of year. If you are not comfortable playing on a course that is undergoing some maintenance, please ensure you ask at the time of booking about any maintenance work that may coincide with your tee time.
Spring maintenance is a cornerstone of ensuring a healthy, high-performing course throughout the season, and we appreciate our members’ patience and understanding during this essential period.
