Course readies for winter preparing to close at end of month

Course to Close End of Month

The golf course will officially close at the end of October with South Course remaining open until Oct. 31 while the North Course will shut down on Oct. 20. With the North Course getting over 60% of the annual rounds it will get a needed earlier rest. With the colder nights frost delays are more the norm each morning so play cannot begin until all the frost is off the grass. Shady areas tend to be last to thaw each morning and while it may look like the course is playable some of the greens remain in the shade for much longer. Walking on turf that is frost covered can kill the grass by breaking the frozen leaves and stems. It is a great idea this time of year to minimize the places carts are driven so the turf can gain some strength before the snow arrives.

Crew completing clean-up for winter

The more our greens crew can remove the down leaves and debris in the fall the better the course will emerge in the spring, so expect to see the blowers and leaf vacuums out running the next couple of weeks.

Don’t swing harder

One of the mistakes golfers often make is to think they have to swing harder when facing a long shot. We should in fact use the same rhythm and tempo of our normal swing for longer shots. The longer shaft of the club will create a wider arc, which will automatically increase the speed of the swing. Use a light grip and swing the club naturally, and you will get all the distance you need without trying to muscle the ball. Relaxed muscles are faster than tight ones, so don’t get a death grip on the club for any shot.