Bunker Surrounds

It was brought to my attention about concern over the height of cut around the bunker banks. Our goal for height of cut around the bunkers ie. bunker banks, is 3.5 to 4 inches. In a previous post titled, Golf Course Maintenance Schedules, the mowing schedule of all surfaces are discussed. The bunker banks are mowed once a week. This time of year, as with all our other grasses, the bunker banks are growing more rapidly and are a bit thicker than they will be in later months of the golf season. Also, a yearly phenomenon that is occurring as we speak, is the production of seedheads by all grasses. Seedheads are produced daily. We have areas of our primary rough and even fairways that after the day it is cut and the existing seedhead is removed, their are additional seedheads the following morning. This phenomenon is creating a perception of the bunker banks to be at a higher height than they actually are. Perception is also skewed due to the height of cut of the 1st cut. The 1st cut is mowed at .75" and having this height of cut in the foreground of the bunker banks, creates the perception of a much higher height of cut for the bunker banks.

Below are two photos. The first is a photo of the 10th bunker from normal eye level. The second photo is at a level that shows the length of seedhead growth versus the lenght or height of grass blades. Seedhead production on the type of grass around our bunkers is nearly finished and we should be back to "normal" shortly.