Spring is the ideal time to take a long hard look at your irrigation system and GCMA Strategic Partners Rain Bird can help.
According to the Met Office, this winter was the eighth wettest on record for the UK overall, with a staggering 29% more rainfall than the average.
However, water availability and usage continue to be a sharp focus for golf. The outlook for global temperatures is that 2024 will be another record-breaker, hotter than 2023, the warmest on record.
As temperatures climb and the growing season gets underway, make sure your irrigation system and practices are as ready as they can be.
Spring is the ideal time to take a long hard look at your irrigation system. Once it’s up and running, it’s worth making sure you’re prepared to respond to what’s ahead this summer – hot, dry conditions and changeable summer weather.
Can you identify what’s actually happening on your course?
1) How is your irrigation system performing?
2) Are there any agronomic issues with specific areas of your course?
3) Is the system hardware and central control set up correctly?
4) Are all your rotors well-maintained for peak performance?
5) Has a health check on your irrigation control system’s electrics and grounding been completed recently?
Consider the risks and what your greenkeeping team would need to do if your system broke down in the middle of a heatwave. Your irrigation system might be out of sight, but don’t let it be out of mind. Small changes often make a real difference; find out if enhancements are needed, in what order and how to phase these to spread the cost. New technologies can easily be integrated with older systems and deliver cost savings to fund future upgrades.
GCMA Strategic Partner Rain Bird provides helpful insights and advice for club and course managers through the association’s channels, its UK distributor Origin Amenity Solutions, and its 360 newsletter. Subscribe to receive a full-circle view of the latest products, news and golf case studies.
Best practice combined with efficient systems can have a significant impact on resources, the golfing experience and reputation of your course. To get your irrigation system ready for the season ahead, make a start today.
