Greg,
I know that USGA spec is not the "be all end all" to greens construction. The USGA even knows that. Any agronomical minded person
that studies soil science knows that. A real soils guy understands the different raw materials used and that can be used, whether it is
native taken from the site or whether its processed from the plant.
I know it may seem like Im a damn spokesman for the USGA on the other thread. Im not. I love soils. I consider myself a soils guy. Very soon
Ill be continuing my education in soils. I actually love reading soils books. My stance is purely about choosing the right soil. Like I said on the
other thread, I would never consider anything USGA, spec or modified. If I had access to a good source of soil that was consistent in structure
and drained well. Thats all you need to manage a healthy green. I feel the USGA and their method gets dumped on unfairly.
Personally I have constructed various types of greens while in construction. One being the greens at Hollowbrook Golf Club in Northern
Westchester County, NY. Those greens were in an enviornmentally sensitive area which was a watershed for the city of Peekskill's drinking
water. The city was worried about it getting contaminated. So the greens were built with a plastic liner covering the soil sub grade. Instead of
digging drainage trenches "flat" drainage tile was simply laid out in a herringbone style on top of the plastic liner and secured. Gravel and
greens mix was installed on top of it and they work great.
Ive also been involved with california style greens at a course in State College, Pa. Completely different than anything the USGA would
recommend. They work great. The common denominator was choosing a growing medium that drained well. The only wrong answer to this
is choosing a soil that does not drain IMHO. Any way that positive drainage can be achieved through the profile is good in my book.
But to keep my post relevant to this thread....
Your post is kinda the tone that I am referring to when it comes to the USGA and their guidelines. Your post makes it sound like someone
from the USGA has come into a project you were on and really tried to force a USGA spec method on to you like a pushy salesman. When
does this happen? I have dealt with USGA agronomists in the southeast, the northeast and the southwest. I cant think of a single guy out of
any of those offices that I wouldnt want to be friends with or have a beer together (thats my measure for good people). With construction
projects I have been involved with, the USGA has come in and only presented themselves as professionals who want to be available and be
utilized as a "tool". And I dont mean "tool" in a derogatory way
They always present themselves as a source of information and to help any
way they possibly can, which I have always appreciated.
If by chance the owners, builders and project managers were to choose to go with something totally different than a USGA spec, they would
never scoff at it or try to persuade anyone otherwise. Unless the choice was an obviously bad one. They add their two cents and leave it
to the people putting up the money to take the two cents or leave it.
If youre not familiar with Jim Moore of the USGA, he is the head of the construction department. One of the best guys I have ever met. He
has come in to new constructions I was working on and hes also come in to established clubs I was working at. Jim is always looking to
improve greens construction, not because of failures, but because hes passionate about golf and greenskeeping and dedicates himself to
helping ensure that the superintendent will be successful with his greens. I will also add that they have bailed alot of supers out of
unsavory situations with their greens and jobs being on the line. They usually do so with all the credit going to the superintendent.
Unless you have had a bad personal experience with the USGA and that is where you're coming from I disagree with you the USGA, or
anyone for that matter, pushes the USGA spec green is the ONLY way a green HAS to be built. The USGA knows its ONLY a GUIDELINE and
I have only ever had great relations with all of them and appreciate the service they provide.