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•
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. It is important, therefore, to
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. The 13 mm (1/2 inch) setting
allows you to groom slightly deeper to cut stolons
without thinning out the turf excessively. By removing
spacers and adding blades or by 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) mainly to thin out the top layer of
the canopy. Grooming with 19 mm (3/4 inch) blade
spacing is recommended for slower growth periods
(late summer through fall and winter). During high
stress periods, it may be desirable to not use the
grooming reel.
Note:
Grooming with 6 mm (1/4 inch) blade spacing
tends to remove more grass blades and thatch and
cut more runners than grooming with 13 mm (1/2
inch) or 19 mm (3/4 inch) blade spacing. If you are
grooming with 6 mm (1/4 inch) blade spacing, 1 or 2
groomings per week will probably 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.
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