Bowling green maintenance and management

Bowling Green Maintenance: 10. Grass Species advert image shown if present
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For a fine surface, with lower fertiliser and irrigation inputs then a traditional red fescue and browntop bentgrass surface is desirable.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 11a. Mowing - Height of cut advert image shown if present
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Mowing at a height of no less than 5mm (well 3/16th of an inch which is 4.76mm) is what would be expected for a bowling green as a matter of routine, especially where red fescue is the dominant grass, or where it is wanting to be encouraged

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 11b. Mowing - Seasonal activity advert image shown if present
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A bowling green in early spring, prior to the start of the playing season, is in a challenging situation due to the likely variable weather conditions which seem to be occurring each year on a more frequent and regular basis.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 11c. Mowing - Edge strip advert image shown if present
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Occasionally some clubs will leave a mowing strip around the edge of the green, which is cut higher than the rest of the green.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 12. Grooming advert image shown if present
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The use of groomers, such as light metal combs, nylon brushes, ridged front rollers, or powered groomers, can often be considered as fine surface preparation.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 13. Scarification & Verticutting advert image shown if present
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Scarification and verticutting will help to prevent much of a thatch build-up and will also keep the surface layer open and free from decaying organic matter of cut leaves and plant sheaths.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 14. Brushing & Switching advert image shown if present
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Brushing and switching are important regular, but simple, tasks which are used to keep the surface free of dew and also for knocking over any worm casts which might be present.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 15. Aeration advert image shown if present
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Aeration can be carried out throughout the year and can be undertaken in any direction of play, however, there is a need to adapt the equipment and tines used to suit the ground conditions, other maintenance work and the time of year.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 16. Decompaction advert image shown if present
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Whilst aeration can help break through compacted layers and into compacted profiles, a more ‘disruptive’ action may be needed to improve the situation and decompact the profile, especially where deep seated compaction is a problem.

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Bowling Green Maintenance: 17. Fertiliser Application advert image shown if present
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Fertiliser application will be minimal for most bowling greens if a firm surface is to be produced with the desirable grasses of red fescue and browntop bents.

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