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Cool season species such as creeping bent grass
and annual blue grass should not be groomed during
high temperature (and high humidity) periods in
midsummer.
It is difficult to make precise recommendations on use
of grooming reels because so many variables affect
the performance of grooming, including:
•
The time of the year (i.e., the growing season) and
weather pattern
•
The general condition of each green
•
The frequency of grooming/cutting—both how
many cuttings per week and how many passes
per cutting
•
The height-of-cut setting on the main reel
•
The height/depth setting on the grooming reel
•
How long the grooming reel has been in use on
this green
•
The type of grass on the green
•
The overall greens management program (i.e.
irrigation, fertilizing, spraying, coring, over seeding,
etc.)
•
Traffic
•
Stress periods (i.e., high temperatures, high
humidity, unusually high traffic)
These factors can vary from golf course to golf course
and from green to green. Inspect the greens frequently
and vary the grooming practice in accordance with
the need.
The groomer is set at the factory with 13 mm (1/2
inch) blade spacing. By removing spacers and adding
blades or adding spacers and removing blades the
groomer can be changed to 6 mm (1/4 inch) or 19 mm
(3/4 inch) spacing.
Grooming with 6 mm (1/4 inch) blade spacing is
recommended for fast growth periods (spring through
early summer). Grooming with 19 mm (3/4 inch) blade
spacing is recommended for slower growth periods
(late summer through fall and winter). Do not use the
grooming reel during high stress periods.
Note:
Grooming with 6 mm (1/4 inch) blade spacing
removes more grass blades and thatch and cuts more
runners than grooming with 13 mm (1/2 inch) or 19
mm (3/4 inch) blade spacing. If grooming with 6 mm
(1/4 inch) blade spacing, one or two groomings per
week should be sufficient except during maximum
growth periods.
Note:
The practice of changing the direction of cut
each time the green is cut should be continued when
a groomer is used. This rotation will enhance the
effects of the grooming.
Testing the Groomer
Performance
Important:
Improper or over-aggressive use of
the grooming reel (i.e., too deep or too frequent
grooming) may cause unnecessary stress on the
turf, leading to severe greens damage. Use the
groomer cautiously.
It is important to determine the performance of the
groomer before putting it into regular use on greens.
We strongly suggests that a formal test procedure be
used. The following is a practical way of determining
the proper height/depth setting:
1. Place the cutting unit on a flat level surface.
2. Set the cutting reel to the height of cut that would
normally be used without the grooming reel. Use
a Wiehle roller and scraper for the front roller.
3. Set the grooming reel 1/2 the height-of-cut
setting above the ground (e.g. for 3.2 mm (1/8
inch) height-of-cut setting, set the groomer at
1.6 mm (1/16 inch) above the ground).
Note:
If using the groomer brush, set it at the
height-of-cut setting above the ground (e.g. for
3.2 mm (1/8 inch) height-of-cut setting, set the
groomer at 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) above the ground).
4. Make a pass over the test green, then lower the
groomer flush with the ground level and make
another pass over the test green.
Note:
If using the groomer brush, lower it to 1/2
the height-of-cut setting above the roller level
(e.g. for 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) height-of-cut setting,
set the groomer at 1.6 mm (1/16 inch) above the
ground).
5. Compare the results. The first groomed area
when the setting was 1/2 the height-of-cut
setting above the roller level will have removed
significantly less grass and thatch than the
second setting.
Check the test green 2 or 3 days after the first
grooming for general condition/damage. If the
groomed areas are turning yellow/brown, and
the non-groomed areas are green, then the
grooming was too aggressive.
Note:
The color of the grass will change
when you use the grooming reel. You can
observe this with the first grooming and it will
continue over time. Experience will allow the
greens superintendent to judge by the color of
the turf (along with close examination) if the
current grooming practice is appropriate for the
particular green. Because the grooming reel
stands up more grass and removes thatch, the
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