SkimTurf™ and Innovative Golf Management: Study at the National Golf Center (June 2024 – September 2025)

For Spanish readers, you access the original document in Spanish here.

The Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG) and the National Golf Center (CNG) have shown a growing interest in integrating new technologies to optimize resource management in the golf industry. In this context, an extensive study has been conducted since June 2024, focused on the implementation of the SkimTurf™ Management platform in the daily golf course maintenance of the National Golf Center.

This study has made it possible to closely evaluate the effectiveness and real, practical impact of SkimTurf on operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

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SkimTurf: A Technological Platform Serving the Greenkeeper

SkimTurf is an innovative platform that uses satellite imagery and AI to collect crucial information for the golf course maintenance and management of golf courses. Its functionalities observed during the trial period at the CNG can be classified into three main areas:

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1. Satellite Data Analysis for Vegetation and Soil

SkimTurf provides detailed values on vegetation (NDVI, NDRE), turf quality (Turfgrass Quality, Turfgrass Density), the concentration of essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, manganese, sodium, zinc, iron), and, fundamentally, soil moisture content.

The interpretation of this turf condition data system through intuitive images has enabled a significant improvement in informed irrigation management, fertilizer application, and early identification of problems related to irrigation systems or potential diseases in CNG maintenance.

This has resulted in more efficient water use, reduced fertilizer consumption, and a significant improvement in the overall health of the course.

2. Report Generation and Trend Analysis

One of the most valuable utilities observed in SkimTurf is its ability to generate detailed reports through graphs. These visual reports allow for the evaluation of trends in the collected data, facilitating the analysis of complex situations and strategic decision-making.

Whether determining the optimal amount of fertilizer to apply or evaluating the effects of specific agronomic actions, these graphs are highly powerful tools. Additionally, their practical format makes them ideal for inclusion in management reports or for sharing with members, promoting transparent, data-driven communication.

3. Comprehensive Turf Management and Proactive Alerts

SkimTurf goes beyond data analysis by offering functionalities for daily golf course maintenance. It allows storage of various types of analytics, organization of maintenance tasks, and, even more efficiently, direct assignment to workers.

The platform also integrates alerts for potential disease outbreaks, thanks to the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in golf course maintenance.

All these functions have been designed to be fast, simple, and to provide real, tangible solutions for the greenkeeper, optimizing both time and resources.

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Results and Transformations at the National Golf Center

The daily implementation of SkimTurf at the National Golf Center over recent months has yielded highly positive results:

• Fast and Simple Evaluation: The golf course maintenance software has enabled quick and efficient assessment of multiple aspects of the course, facilitating informed decision-making.

• Improved Decision-Making: The turf monitoring software provided by SkimTurf has significantly optimized the decision-making process, leading to more effective maintenance practices. For example, toward the end of the summer period, moisture control becomes more complex. Thanks to SkimTurf data, irrigation management was optimized, allowing the elimination of seven days of irrigation in September alone, achieving water savings of 9,500 m³.
• Enhanced Communication: Internal and external communication has been strengthened thanks to the availability of reports with powerful graphs, making data and trends easier to understand.
• Growing Satellite Database: The availability of a satellite image database providing multiple data points is highly valuable. Despite initial challenges related to low image availability, SkimTurf has increased its frequency, resolving this issue and ensuring a constant flow of information.
• Benchmark for Continuous Improvement: The use of this new technology has positioned the National Golf Center as a benchmark in continuously improving the use of available resources for golf course maintenance.

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A Promising Future for SkimTurf and the Golf Industry

The National Golf Center has experienced a series of positive transformations as a result of using SkimTurf, highlighting a substantial improvement in irrigation water use and precise golf turf fertilization planning. This not only translates into greater environmental sustainability but also into a golf course with superior playability.

Initial shortcomings, such as image frequency, have been resolved over recent months, demonstrating SkimTurf’s commitment to evolving and adapting to market needs.

SkimTurf’s clear commitment to positioning itself as a benchmark in the golf industry in the coming years is evident. Continuous investment in technology, ongoing improvement of its analysis algorithms, and its focus on customer satisfaction establish SkimTurf as an essential superintendent and agronomy software for modern and efficient golf course turf management—marking a before and after in how these sports facilities are maintained.

SkimTurf’s strong commitment to golf, through technological investment and algorithm improvement, positions it as a benchmark. Its focus on customer satisfaction consolidates it as an essential turf monitoring system for efficient golf course management, marking a turning point in the maintenance of these facilities.

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