Jimmy McPherson / Golf Rep MSU Golf Course (662) 610-3260
Josh Smith / Grounds & Lawn Maintenance City of Columbia, MS (601) 441-8029
Stephen Robertson / Central Region Rep Bay Pointe Golf Club (662) 418-7888
Toby Thornton / South Region Rep Beau Chene Country Club (601) 507-4254
Scott Kuhn / Industry Rep Simplot (601) 209-5605
EX-OFFICIO
Dr. Jay McCurdy / Faculty Advisor
Mississippi State University (662) 325-2331
The Rollercoaster Ride We Call Spring
Spring is a season of hope, renewal, and... chaos. For golf course superintendents, it’s less about the flowers blooming and more about the endless cycles of stress, sweat, and satisfaction that come with preparing a course for the season. Buckle up, because here’s the emotional rollercoaster of spring, from the first hint of warmth to the chaotic, unpredictable ride that follows.
The “It’s Finally Here!” Moment (Early March)
After months of winter, the sun finally decides to show up, and you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from every superintendent in Mississippi. You’re ready to dive in—bring on the mowing, the aeration, the planting! The season feels like a fresh start. Emotion: Hopeful excitement with a dash of overconfidence.
The “Wait, Is That a Snowstorm?” Moment (Mid-March)
Just as the grass starts to look like it might actually grow, nature has other plans. A cold snap. Snow? In March? The course is still recovering from winter, and now, Mother Nature throws a curveball. You stare at the forecast and wonder why you ever got your hopes up. Emotion: The first signs of dread, followed by a quiet, internal scream.
The “I’m a Genius!” Moment (April)
The turf begins to wake up, and for a glorious few days, you feel like a turfgrass mastermind. Your greens look perfect, the fairways are rolling smooth, and the golfers are coming back. Everything is working. Maybe you really are a genius. Emotion: Momentary euphoria, like you’ve unlocked the secret to the universe.
The “What Did I Do Wrong?” Moment (Late April)
After the brief high of perfection, a rogue rainstorm or frost hits, and suddenly, the course is looking like a muddy disaster zone. You start questioning your life choices. Did you forget to account for the fact that the grass doesn’t always listen to your plans? Maybe you should’ve stuck with accounting. Emotion: Despair mixed with a hint of professional regret.
The “Is it Too Late for a Nap?” Moment (Early May)
By now, the exhaustion sets in. You’ve been up early, fixing sprinklers, battling weeds, and just generally trying to keep the course from turning into a jungle. But the sun is shining, and there’s a faint glimmer of hope. Maybe everything will come together. Maybe you just need five minutes... or five hours... in the break room. Emotion: Tired, but somehow still hopeful.
The “Everything is Broken!” Moment (Late May)
You think you’ve got everything under control, but then you realize your irrigation system is malfunctioning, and the mower
just broke down. And of course, the clubhouse staff is now asking about that one tricky spot on hole 12. You can’t fix everything at once—yet, here you are, trying. Emotion: Panic, followed by frantic problem-solving.
The “I Am One With the Turf” Moment (Early June)
After a few weeks of total chaos, something magical happens: the course actually starts looking amazing. The greens are rolling like a dream, the fairways are pristine, and you can breathe. For a split second, you become one with the turf. This is what it’s all about. You’re finally winning the battle. Emotion: Zen-like peace, like you’ve reached nirvana.
The “Please Don’t Let it Rain” Moment (Late June)
Just when you think you’re in the clear, the skies open up. Heavy rain, wind, and humidity arrive to test your fortitude. You start praying to the turf gods, hoping the course doesn’t turn into a swamp overnight. Can you please just get a few weeks without storms? Emotion: Frantic desperation mixed with a little bit of bargaining.
The “This is Actually Fun?” Moment (End of June)
Against all odds, the course pulls through. The rain has subsided, the golfers are happy, and you can finally look around and admire the results of your hard work. All the chaos, all the stress, somehow it’s worth it. You’ve survived another spring, and the course looks fantastic. Time to enjoy the fruits of your labor (and maybe even take a nap). Emotion: Relieved satisfaction, with a side of “Let’s never do that again” (until next spring).
The Bottom Line:
For Mississippi superintendents, spring is a whirlwind of emotions—chaotic, challenging, and often frustrating. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment that comes with preparing a course for a new season. Sure, it’s a rollercoaster, but who doesn’t love a good ride?
Reminder:
Don’t forget to register for the Mississippi Turfgrass Association’s Yard Dog Tournament on June 10th! It’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow turfgrass professionals and showcase your skills in a fun, friendly competition. See you there!
Scott D. Hampton President MTA Superintendent Laurel Country Club
Aerate and Play Right Away!
Decreased down time, increased revenue.
The surface is very “puttable.”
The dots are sand that is level with the turf.
DryJect® is a high-pressure, water based injection system that blasts holes through the root zone and fractures the soil profile. Plus, it automatically fills holes as it aerates.
DryJect® makes a big difference in playability … right away!
YARDDAWGCLASSIC JUNE10,2025
eMississippiTurfgrassAssociationinvitesyoutoplay inthe23rdAnnualYardDawgClassicGolfTournamentat MSUGolfCourse in Starkville,Mississippi. Youwillnotethatyoucanformyourownteam.Individualswho wishtoplayanddonothaveateamwillbeassignedtoateamby thetournamentcommittee.Yourteammembersdonothaveto beMTAmembers.
OCTOBER 27 – 30, 2025 Deep South Turf Expo Biloxi, MS
www.agrainc.com
- MS 5 www.basf.com
Bayou Bend Turfgrass ...................................9 www.bayoubendturfgrass.com
Greene County Fertilizer Co. 5 www.greenecountyfert.com
Harrell’s LLC Back Cover www.harrells.com
Jackson Sand 19 www.jacksonsand.com
Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation Inside Back Cover www.jerrypate.com
NewLife Turf, Inc. 19 www.newlifeturf.com
Progressive Turf Equipment Inc. ................11 www.progressiveturfequip.com
Regal Chemical Company Inside Front Cover www.regalchem.com
Riebeling Farms, Inc. 17 riebelingfarmsinc@gmail.com
Site One 13 www.siteone.com
Smith Seed Services 17 www.smithseed.com
Sur-Line Turf, Inc. 9 www.surlineturf.com
The Aquatrols Company 11 www.aquatrols.com
The Turf Zone 21 www.theturfzone.com
HERBICIDE RESISTANT SEDGE IN THE WEEDS
By J. Scott McElroy, PhD Professor, Auburn University
Herbicide Resistant Sedges. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the next big herbicide resistance problem is going to be sedges –and not just one. Probably all of them.
The two major weeds that have caused the greatest problem relative to herbicide resistance to date are annual bluegrass and goosegrass. In 2010 Harold Walker and I were the first to identify sulfonylurea herbicide resistant populations of Poa annua Before that, resistance to triazines had been identified throughout the southeast, initially in Mississippi by Dr. Eual Coats. Resistance to preemergence herbicides to prodiamine, pendimethalin, and dithiopyr were identified in North Carolina and by me, in Tennessee. Since all of this, there are populations that have evolved resistance to glyphosate (Roundup) and likely to indaziflam (Specticle).
Not to toot my own horn, but my group at Auburn are the principal leaders when it comes to herbicide resistant goosegrass research. We were the first to report oxadiazon (Ronstar), foramsulfuron (Revolver) and sulfentrazone (Dismiss) resistance. Resistance to dinitroaniline preemergence herbicides and metribuzin (Sencor) were previously reported. Because of this resistance and due to the loss of diclofop (Illoxan), there are some turfgrass situations in which there is basically no herbicide available.
Above: Kyllinga
Better Built. Quality Results. Period.
Progressive Turf builds the right mowers and rollers for any field. For over 30 years they have set and re-set the standards in commercial grade mowing equipment.
Contact your Progressive Dealer to find out why Progressive products are outstanding in any field!
Merger that has Turf at Heart
Sedges have four main herbicide groups that are effective for control.
ALS inhibitors
sulfentrazone (Dismiss)
indaziflam (Specticle)
oxadiazon (Ronstar)
and secondary preemergence herbicides dimethenamid (Tower) and S-metolachlor (Pennant Magnum).
ALS inhibitors include sulfonylureas such as trifloxysulfuron (Monument), flazasulfuron (Katana), halosulfuron (Sedgehammer), imazosulfuron (Celero), and others; and also, imazaquin (Sceptre, formerly known as Image.)
I should include MSMA, but its use is so limited that it is not seen as a viable option for all turfgrass situations. Certainly, if you have access and it is labeled for your situation, using it is not a bad idea. Basagran (bentazon) is also available, and although control is limited, it still is an option.
Patrick McCullough, formerly an extension specialist at the University of Georgia, was the first to see the developing problem of herbicide resistant sedges. McCullough identified annual sedge and green kyllinga resistance to ALS inhibiting herbicides. Working with weed scientists who work in row-crops, we have also identified ALS-inhibitor resistant yellow nutsedge, small-flower umbrella sedge, and rice flat sedge in Georgia and Arkansas. (Research papers we have collaborated on are listed at the end).
ALS inhibitors are a key set of herbicides for postemergence sedge control. The only other post herbicide in turfgrass is Dismiss and preemergence herbicides are still available. Here is the problem: First, from a postemergence standpoint, this puts all the pressure on Dismiss. From what we have seen with Poa and goosegrass, when the control selection shifts to only one active ingredient, it is not long until that herbicide is facing resistance as well. Preemergence herbicides are problematic because many of the sedges are perennial and pre herbicides are not timed properly to coincide with sedge emergence. That is why sedges are typically targeted for post applications rather than pre.
What is the plan moving forward? First, if you are dealing with an annual sedge or kyllinga problem, make sure you are timing those preemergence applications properly. This means some follow-up pre-application in June or July. Virtually every other weed has its window of germination in the spring months, but some sedges – namely cock’s comb kyllinga and annual sedge –germinate later in the June time frame. Second, if you don’t have resistance, it is probably a good idea to start mixing or rotating different modes of action. Since there are basically only two post herbicides, it requires mixing sulfentrazone with ALS inhibitors, or rotating them from year to year. If you have had success with Basagran (bentazon), then consider integrating it as well. •
Umbrella sedge
Yellow nut sedge
HOW TO MEASURE PLAYABILITY for Safe Sports Fields
By John Mascaro President of Turf-Tec International
Ensuring the safety and playability of sports fields is crucial for player performance and injury prevention. For sports field safety and playability, three points of data are needed. This article will explore the methodologies and standards for evaluating natural grass and synthetic turf surfaces, emphasizing the importance of consistency across playing fields.
To measure an exact position on Earth, three points of reference are needed. Before GPS, navigators used the positions of stars, the sun, and the moon to determine their position on the earth’s surface. This was done using instruments like sextants.
Today, GPS relies on a process called trilateration. Trilateration uses signals from at least three satellites to determine a receiver’s position. Each satellite provides a sphere of possible locations where the receiver could be located. The intersection of these three spheres pinpoints the exact location on the earth’s surface.
Natural Grass Surfaces
Three points of reference are also needed to determine playability for safe sports fields on natural grass surfaces, they include gMax, soil moisture and shear strength. Each of the three reference points is dependent on the others in order to evaluate the overall safety and playability of the playing surface. Without all three reference points, you are in fact “lost” as they interdepend upon each other. If a surface is too hard in gMax numbers, you can lower the gMax number by adding moisture. However, with added moisture, traction and shear strength are reduced. If the shear strength is too low, that number can be increased by drying out the surface, however you increase gMax. This is why, similar to GPS readings, each number is dependent on the other for your overall ability to assess playability and safety of the surface.
You can identify trends by comparing the same sports field playing surface test results over time. Readings from gMax, soil moisture and shear strength can be compared and analyzed. For example, if the gMax numbers vary, higher or lower, from one measurement point in time compared to another, the other two data point variables, soil moisture and shear strength, can be compared to determine what changed over time.
gMax Testing on Natural Grass Surfaces
gMax is expressed in units of g (gravities), where 1 g is equivalent to the acceleration due to Earth’s gravity, approximately 9.81 meters per second squared (m/s2). For example, a gMax of 10 g means the subject is experiencing forces ten times greater than the force of gravity on Earth. Standing on earth, you are at 1 gravity.
Sextant
gMax Testing measures the shock-absorbing properties of the playing surface. This is crucial because surfaces with poor shock absorption can increase the risk of concussions and other impact-related injuries.
• Procedure: A 2.25 kg weighted device called a “Clegg Hammer” or “Clegg Impact Tester,” is dropped onto the surface from a specific height. The peak deceleration (gMax value) is recorded upon impact.
• Standards: The NFL and ASTM have set maximum allowable gMax values. Typically, a gMax value on a Clegg above 100 is considered potentially dangerous.
• Impact: Lower gMax values indicate better shock absorption, which reduces the risk of injury to players.
Soil Moisture Testing on Natural Grass Surfaces
Soil moisture testing measures the amount of water present in the soil, which affects the field’s hardness and playability. Soil moisture can be categorized into several forms, including:
• Gravitational water is water that moves through the soil due to gravity and can drain away quickly.
• Capillary water is water that is held in the soil pores against the force of gravity and available for plant use.
• Hygroscopic water is water that is adsorbed onto the outside of soil particles and is not available for plant use.
Soil moisture is essential for turfgrass growth. It also influences soil temperature and microbial activity. Monitoring and managing soil moisture ensures optimal turfgrass growth and water use efficiency.
TDR 350 Moisture Sensor
Clegg Impact Tester
Soil moisture testing in sports field testing is a crucial aspect of field maintenance and management, ensuring optimal playing conditions and player safety. Proper moisture levels in the turf and underlying soil impact the field’s firmness, traction, and durability.
• Procedure: Various methods are used to measure soil moisture, including direct methods like time-domain reflectometry (TDR) soil moisture sensors.
• Standards: Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial for player safety. Overly dry fields can become hard and increase the risk of impact injuries, while overly wet fields can become slippery and increase the risk of slips and falls.
• Impact: Optimal soil moisture ensures good turf health and durability. It affects the turf’s ability to recover from wear and tear. Ensuring a consistent playing surface across different fields and stadiums is crucial for fair play. Soil moisture testing provides a tool to manage consistency.
Shear Strength Testing on Natural Grass Surfaces
Shear strength testing measures the traction and stability of the field surface, which affects how well players can grip the ground with their footwear. Using a shear vane tester equipped with a shear vane foot allows a Sports Field Manager to measure the shear strength of the soil and turf. It consists of a set of vanes (blades) attached to a handle, which is inserted into the turfgrass surface. When the rod is rotated, the vanes are rotated through the soil and turf, and the resistance encountered is displayed on a dial providing a measure of the sports surface shear strength.
The shear vane foot helps determine the turf’s resistance to shearing forces, which is crucial for evaluating the durability and stability of the turf surface. This is particularly important for sports fields and other areas where turf is subject to heavy use and wear.
Traction and Stability measure how well players can grip the surface with their footwear, which affects their ability to make quick movements without slipping or falling.
• Procedure: Devices like the Shear Strength Tester are used. These simulate the forces exerted by a player’s foot on the surface.
• Standards: Optimal traction values are specified to ensure that the surface provides enough grip.
• Impact: Adequate traction prevents injuries from slips and falls, reducing the risk of non-contact injuries and improving overall player performance.
Synthetic Turf Surfaces
gMax Testing on Synthetic Turf Surfaces
The three points of reference needed to determine playability for safe sports fields on synthetic turf surfaces are gMax, infill depth and shear strength. Each point of reference is also dependent on the other in order to evaluate the safety and playability of the playing surface.
Similar to natural grass, the gMax value measures the hardness of synthetic turf surfaces using the 2.25 kg Clegg Impact Tester.
• Procedure: The same procedure as with natural grass surfaces is followed, using the 2.25 kg Clegg Hammer to record gMax values.
• Standards: The NFL and ASTM have set maximum allowable gMax values. Typically, a gMax value on a Clegg above 100 g’s is considered potentially dangerous. gMax values over 200 g’s with an ASTM F355 tester of the Clegg Equivalent formula are also considered potentially dangerous (2)
• Impact: Lower gMax values on synthetic turf indicate better shock absorption and reduced injury risk.
Infill Depth Testing on Synthetic Turf Surfaces
Importance of Infill Depth
The depth of infill is critical in achieving these benefits. Too little infill can lead to a hard and unforgiving surface, increasing the risk of injuries. Conversely, too much infill can make the surface unstable and affect the playability of the field. In many instances, infill is displaced during play and then, without measuring, additional infill is added instead of redistributing the displaced materials, causing excessive build up. Maintaining an optimal infill depth is necessary to balance cushioning and stability.
Shear Strength Tester
Procedure:
Infill depth testing involves measuring the depth of the infill material at various points across the turf. This process can be conducted using several methods:
• Manual Probes: A calibrated probe is inserted into the turf to measure the depth of the infill manually. This method provides spot-check data and is often used for quick assessments.
• Digital Depth Gauges: These devices offer more precise measurements and can record data for comprehensive analysis and GPS map the field surface for infill depth consistency and ease of redistribution of infill materials after play.
• Prism Gauges: These devices will give the pile height or amount of fiber that is above the infill depth.
Standards:
• Measuring the infill depth and the amount of fiber above the infill, determines the ratio of infill to overall fiber length. Ideally, around 68 – 70% of pile height should be covered by infill. Individual manufacturers of your synthetic surface should be contacted for their recommendations.
Regular infill depth testing is vital for maintaining the quality and safety of synthetic turf fields. By routinely measuring and adjusting the infill, field managers can ensure:
• Consistent Playing Surface: Athletes experience a uniform surface, reducing the risk of injuries from trips and falls caused by uneven infill distribution.
• Enhanced Durability: Proper infill levels contribute to the longevity of the turf, preventing premature wear and tear.
• Safety Compliance: Many sports governing bodies have regulations regarding the maintenance of synthetic fields. Infill depth testing helps facilities comply with these standards.
Often, when measuring infill properly and determining the ratio of infill to fiber length, and GPS mapping the surface for infill amounts, it can be determined that redistribution of infill is needed to maintain consistency rather than application of additional infill. Often the infill is displaced by wear, weather events or improper grooming techniques or a combination of the three. Proper field grooming and redistributing high areas to low areas often results in a more consistent, safe and playable surface.
Infill Depth Tester
Shear Strength Testing on Synthetic Turf Surfaces
Shear strength testing evaluates traction and stability on synthetic turf, similar to natural grass surfaces.
• Procedure: A specially designed synthetic turf foot and the Shear Strength Tester with a lower range 0 – 9 newton meter wrench are used for this assessment.
• Standards: No set shear strength values have been set by the governing organizations with this tool, however surface consistency can easily be evaluated to determine whether grooming, rolling or adding moisture will be needed.
• Impact: Adequate shear strength prevents slips and falls, reducing the risk of non-contact injuries and improving overall player performance and reducing the potential for injury risk.
The Fourth Data Point for Natural Grass and Synthetic Turf: Cleat Depth Testing
Cleat depth testing measures the interaction between a player’s cleats and the sports field’s surface, ensuring proper traction, penetration and stability. I am confident that this fourth data point will become an invaluable tool in testing protocols to determine sports field safety and playability. Consistent cleat depth over the entire playing surface will ensure a player has the same footing across the entire field of play.
• Procedure: The Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester measures the depth at which cleats penetrate the turf by dropping a known weight from a known height and measuring the depth in which specially designed cleats penetrate the surface.
• Standards: Optimal cleat depth values by the governing organizations for this tool have not been yet specified, however surface consistency can easily and quickly be evaluated.
• Impact: Consistent cleat depth penetration enhances player stability and reduces the risk of injuries. Training facility surfaces can be compared to game fields to reveal differences in cleat depth penetration. These variations may ultimately improve player performance and safety, thus ensuring consistent cleat depth across the field’s surface.
Achieving a consistent and safe playing surface across different fields and stadiums is crucial for player safety and fair play. While the specific measurement techniques and standards may vary between natural grass and synthetic turf, the goal remains the same: to provide a uniform, safe, and playable surface that minimizes injury risks and enhances player performance. By adhering to these testing methodologies and standards, Sports Field Managers can ensure that their fields are safe and playable for all athletes.
•
NFL Club Game Operations Manual. https://operations.nfl.com
“Standard Specification for Shock-Absorbing Properties of North American Football Field Playing Systems as Measured in the Field. American Society for Testing and Material - ASTM F1936-98: https://www.astm.org/ f1936-98.html
“Standard Test Method for Impact Attenuation of Playing Surface Systems and Materials.” American Society for Testing and Material - ASTM 355https://www.astm.org/f0355-16e01.html
“Standard Test Method for Measuring Impact-Attenuation Characteristics of Natural Playing Surface Systems Using a Lightweight Portable Apparatus.” American Society for Testing and Material – ASTM F1702-96https://www.astm.org/f1702-10r18.html
“Technology Integration in Turfgrass Management: The development of mandatory practices for the testing and maintenance of synthetic turf fields in the National Football League.” International Turfgrass Society Research Journal https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/its2.94
Deying Li, Minner, David D., Christians, Nick E. “Evaluation of Factors Contributing to Surface Stability of Sand-Based Tur.” Agronomy Journal 101(5)–DOI:10.2134/agronj2009.0031
Rogers, III, John N., Waddington, Donald V. “Effects of Management Practices on Impact Absorption and Shear Resistance in Natural Turf.”
Martin, B.R. “Problems Associated with Testing the Impact Absorption Properties of Artificial Playing Surfaces. Natural and Artificial Playing Fields: Characteristics and Safety Features.: ASTM STP 1073. In: R.C. Schmidt, E.F. Hoerner, E.M. Milner, and C.A. Morehouse, (eds), American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1990. pp. 77-84.
Popke, M. Shock Value. Athletic Business Magazine. September. 2002. pp. 54-66. Powell, J.W. and Schootman, M. 1993. A multivariate risk analysis of natural grass and AstroTurf playing surfaces in the National Football League. Intl. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 7:201-221.
Powell, J. W. and Schootman, M. “A multivariate risk analysis of selected playing surfaces in the National Football League: 1980 to 1989.” Am. J. Sports Med. 20: 1992. 686 - 694.
Valiant, G.A., “Traction Characteristics of Outsoles for Use on Artificial Playing Surfaces. Natural and Artifical Playing Fields: Characteristics and Safety Features.” 1990.
ASTM STP 1073. In: R.C. Schmidt, E.F. Hoerner, E.M. Milner, and C.A. Morehouse, (eds), American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, pp. 61-68.
Cleat Depth Tester Foot
TIME MANAGEMENT
Planning for Turfgrass Managers
Time management is a crucial skill for turfgrass managers, who often juggle multiple responsibilities throughout the day. From maintaining healthy playing surfaces and overseeing irrigation systems to managing staff and interacting with clients or superiors, the demands can quickly become overwhelming. Effective time management not only ensures tasks are completed efficiently but also helps prevent burnout and allows for a healthy balance between work and personal life.
The Importance of Time Management in Turfgrass Management
Turfgrass managers, whether they oversee golf courses, sports fields, or landscapes, must be able to make quick decisions while managing a variety of tasks. These responsibilities may include:
1. Field and Lawn Maintenance: Mowing, fertilizing, pest control, and irrigation systems all need to be carefully monitored and maintained.
2. Staff Management: Supervising employees, scheduling shifts, and ensuring they have the right resources to complete tasks.
3. Client and Stakeholder Communication: Turfgrass managers often need to maintain communication with clients, vendors, or management about performance, issues, or upcoming events.
4. Environmental Considerations: Turfgrass managers must stay informed about the latest trends and regulations regarding sustainable practices, pest management, and water conservation.
Given the wide range of tasks, balancing these responsibilities without sacrificing the quality of work requires intentional planning and preparation.
linkedin.com/company/theturfzone
x.com/theturfzone
Strategies for Effective Time Management
Here are some proven strategies that turfgrass managers can use to better manage their time and workload:
1. Prioritize Tasks
One of the first steps in effective time management is learning to prioritize tasks. The Eisenhower Matrix is a great tool for this. It categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:
• Urgent and important: Tasks that must be done immediately, such as handling irrigation system breakdowns or pest outbreaks.
• Important but not urgent: Tasks like preventive maintenance, staff training, or planning for seasonal changes.
• Urgent but not important: Tasks that can be delegated, such as responding to non-critical emails or phone calls.
• Not urgent and not important: Tasks that can be eliminated or postponed, such as routine administrative work that doesn’t require immediate attention.
By prioritizing tasks, turfgrass managers can ensure they focus on what’s most essential, delegating or postponing tasks that can wait.
2. Create a Daily Schedule
A structured schedule is an essential tool for managing time. Turfgrass managers may allocate specific time blocks for different tasks throughout the day. This can include dedicated periods for checking irrigation systems, overseeing team operations, handling administrative work, and taking breaks. By adhering to a schedule, it becomes easier to maintain control over the day’s events and prevent procrastination.
Tools such as planners, apps (e.g., Google Calendar, Trello), or task management software can help keep everything organized. It’s important to allow some flexibility in the schedule for unexpected issues like weather changes, equipment malfunctions, or urgent tasks.
3. Delegate Effectively
Delegation is vital in any management role, especially in turfgrass management, where tasks require a variety of specialized skills. Delegating tasks effectively not only ensures that jobs are completed on time but also empowers team members. For instance, staff could be assigned specific areas of turf maintenance, such as irrigation checks or pest management. By distributing work in this way, turfgrass managers can focus on the larger picture and avoid getting bogged down by minor tasks.
4. Avoid Multitasking
While multitasking may seem like a way to get more done, research shows it can lead to mistakes and inefficiency. Turfgrass managers should focus on one task at a time, completing it to the best of their ability before moving on to the next. This focus increases productivity and helps reduce errors, especially when dealing with technical issues like irrigation malfunctions or pesticide applications.
5. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
Setting both short- and long-term goals helps turfgrass managers stay on track and gives them a sense of accomplishment. These goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable within a given time frame. For example, a short-term goal might be to complete weekly turf inspections, while a long-term goal could be achieving a specific standard of field quality by the end of the season.
It’s also important to set realistic expectations. Turfgrass management involves variables such as weather conditions and unforeseen maintenance needs, so managers should allow room for flexibility in their goals.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Turfgrass management can be demanding, particularly during peak seasons, when the workdays can extend into evenings or weekends. This makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, it’s essential for turfgrass managers to take steps to avoid burnout and keep their personal lives intact.
1. Set Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time is crucial. For example, establishing set working hours and limiting work to those hours can help create a better work-life balance. Turfgrass managers should also communicate these boundaries to staff and supervisors to prevent work from spilling over into personal time.
2. Schedule Breaks and Downtime
Regular breaks throughout the day can improve productivity and reduce stress. Turfgrass managers should take time to rest, even during the busiest days. A 10-minute break can clear the mind and allow for better decision-making. Similarly, scheduling personal downtime—whether it’s spending time with family, exercising, or pursuing hobbies—helps recharge energy levels.
3. Leverage Technology to Streamline Tasks
Using technology to streamline routine tasks, such as monitoring irrigation systems remotely or automating equipment maintenance schedules, can free up valuable time. This automation allows turfgrass managers to focus on high-priority tasks while keeping a healthy balance between work and personal commitments.
Conclusion
Time management is a fundamental skill for turfgrass managers. By using strategies such as prioritizing tasks, delegating effectively, and setting clear goals, managers can increase their productivity and ensure quality turf management. At the same time, balancing work with personal life is essential for long-term success. Turfgrass managers who actively manage their time will not only thrive in their professional roles but also maintain their well-being outside of work. •
Enhance Root Health and Promote the Uptake of Nutrients
