From Observation to Action: Managing Turf with Greater Precision

"As superintendents, we spend a lot of time observing the golf course. We walk it, evaluate turf conditions, talk with our teams and make adjustments every day. But there is a limit to how much of a property we can assess consistently, especially when changes occur gradually or vary from one area to another.

That's where remote sensing has become valuable for me at Carmel Valley Ranch. With SkimTurf™ Management, I can monitor conditions across the entire golf course while still getting down to the level of individual holes and specific areas within them. The value isn't simply having more data. It's being able to observe turf conditions, make an agronomic decision and then evaluate how the turf responds over time."

Andy Magnasco, Dir. of Golf Course Maintenance & Grounds, Carmel Valley Ranch, CA

‍

Using Turf Data to Guide Nitrogen and Irrigation Decisions

"Our nitrogen program is a good example. By monitoring nitrogen levels across the course, we began identifying areas where nitrogen remained higher than expected between applications. Rather than continuing to follow the same schedule everywhere, we could determine where another application was actually justified. We increased the interval between applications in some areas and used spoon-feeding applications where they were needed. Sometimes that meant targeting a specific hole; other times, only a portion of a hole required attention. Data-driven decisions have also supported our approach to chemical inputs and irrigation management. Soil moisture readings have become especially valuable when scheduling irrigation across a large and diverse property. They provide our assistants with an objective reference point when programming irrigation each day, creating greater consistency in decision-making and helping ensure water is applied where it is needed most. Combined with remote sensing data and field observations, these measurements help us fine-tune irrigation schedules, improve water-use efficiency and maintain consistent playing conditions throughout the golf course."

‍

Measuring the Impact of Agronomic Decisions Over Time

"Just as importantly, we can continue monitoring those areas after making adjustments. That feedback is valuable. You make a decision, observe the response and determine whether the adjustment delivered the result you expected. It turns an application into something that can be evaluated rather than simply another item on the calendar. Through that process, we reduced overall inputs by approximately 15% while maintaining the playing conditions we expect. The bigger surprise came from our plant growth regulator program. As we gained a more precise understanding of turf performance across the property, we identified opportunities to adjust PGR applications as well. Ultimately, we reduced PGR use by approximately 40% without sacrificing turf quality."

‍

A More Targeted Approach to Precision Turf Management

"To me, that's what precision turf management should accomplish. A golf course isn't one uniform surface, and it doesn't always make sense to manage it as one. Remote sensing doesn't replace walking the course or the experience of a superintendent. It adds another perspective. It helps identify where conditions are changing, supports more targeted decisions and provides a way to evaluate those decisions over time. As a result, we're more intentional with our resources. We're putting inputs where the turf tells us they can make the greatest difference, and technology helps us measure whether we made the right call."

‍