iStimp fails the test
The iStimp is an entertaining iPhone application. However, it frequently does not provide comparable readings to industry standards such as the Pelzmeter and the Speedmeter. In addition, the time involved for golfers to measure green speeds would result in considerable and unacceptable delays in pace of play. Based upon this preliminary information, PACE Turf does not recommend the use of this device for evaluating green speed.
For more information on the evaluation of the iStimp, refer to the report and video below:
Video: Kikuyugrass aeration and topdressing
In this video, we illustrate the aeration and topdressing process that was developed by Brian Archbold, El Niguel Country Club, for management of kikuyugrass fairways. Brian has been using this process consistently for 5 years with good results. He switches to solid tines for aeration if he feels that the process will result in too many complaints from unhappy golfers. Brian aerates fairways in May, August and September. The process involves the following steps:
- Heavy irrigation several days prior to aeration to insure that the soil is receptive to aeration
- Core aeration using 1.25 inch diameter tines to a depty of 6 - 8 inches
- Application of 12 tons of sand per acre
- Flail vertical mow to break up cores and incorporate sand
- Drag to further break up cores and incorporate sand
- Mow to complete the process
Evaluating the sodium hazard in your irrigation water
In the June 28, 2010 Super Journal report, "Evaluating the sodium hazard in your irrigation water" (188 KB pdf document), we present some new tools that will help you to get a more accurate estimate of the sodium hazard in your irrigation water. In order to help identify the most accurate estimate of sodium hazard, we have consulted several publications (including FAO Handbook 29, which is the standard guideline that most researchers and practitioners rely upon) and academics (most notably Dr. Don Suarez of the USDA Salinity Laboratory in Riverside, CA), and based on this input we have generated a mathematical model and accompanying spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will allow you to rapidly compute the sodium hazard for your irrigation water, based on data from your water quality reports.
Project title: Tools for estimating sodium hazard based on irrigation water quality reports
Principal investigator: Larry Stowell, Ph.D., CPAg and Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D.
- PACE Turf Super Journal Report, Tools for estimating sodium hazard based on irrigation water quality reports (188 KB pdf document) posted 6/28/10
- Spreadsheet for calculating sodium hazard of irrigation water (18 KB Excel spreadsheet)
