Driving Range Target Greens Cancel The title field is required!

1. Daniel Mausolf

   

   0 posts
   
   8/9/2011 2:08 PM

   I have bent/poa target greens that we mow at .450 currently. I'm looking at ideas to take the bent out and use a different type. There's no reason for bent to be hanging out in the middle of the driving range. There's not enough time, labor, money to manage these areas like we do with tees or fairways.
   
   Any ideas? P. Rye?
   
   Thanks,
   DAN

   
   
   
   
2. Bryan Taylor

   

   0 posts
   
   8/9/2011 3:08 PM

   Not knowing exactly where you are located, I would use some type of turf that will stand out from the rest of the driving range turf. Use something that will provide a contrast like P Rye, Tall fescue, Paspalum in Bermuda or a Zoysia if all other turf is cool season. You would then have greens that stand out and are a target. If you have Fairway cut you can do same thing if it will be visible from the tee. Our DR had sand bunkers and we installed a white pond liner fabric after taking out the sand. Now no maintenance other than trimming edges that the mower can get and easy, no raking etc. From 100+ yards looks just like a sand bunker.
   
   Bryan Taylor
   Poipu Bay GC

   
   
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   8/9/2011 5:08 PM

   pal704 said: Use something that will provide a contrast like Bermuda or a Zoysia....
   
   Bryan Taylor
   Poipu Bay GC

   
   
   
   A course south of Atlanta had or still has actual targets using Bermuda and Zoysia rings for their driving range. They alternated grasses in each ring. Kind of clownish, but looked cool.

   
   
   
   
4. Michael Coy

   

   0 posts
   
   8/10/2011 5:08 AM

   Yeah we have the same situation. We have five bent target greens and a bent fairway in the driving range. Costs of maintaining the club cannot afford. I am proposing to my board to replace it with Patriot bermuda. Patriot has a nice color contrast and is not a maintenance nightmare. I believe it will would be a great substitute from the original design. I am in the transition zone.
   Michael Coy
   Oxmoor Country Club

   
   
   
   
5. Daniel Mausolf

   

   0 posts
   
   8/10/2011 6:08 AM

   Thanks guys. I am in Southeast Michigan.

   
   
   
   
6. Wilkinson Gaeren S

   
   8/18/2011 4:08 AM

   Green turf dye works a treat

   
   
   
   
7. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   8/19/2011 7:08 AM

   I know it sounds crazy but letting the green surface grow taller to rough height, or sod/seed the surface to P.Rye or Blue and keep it at rough height, creates a great visual target if the green is surrounded by fairway. Bassacwards I know but it works. I saw Patriot Bermuda target greens in a cool season range at Aronomick in Philly this summer. Pretty far north but it was working well. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.