Grant - Like Neil you make some good points but you are making some very broad generalities. It would be great if you would list some of the specific things that you think golf course managers need to do to be more cost aware. What "different situations" should they be " exposed to? What "new solutions" are you talking about?
Sean
Neil Noble list a number of very good suggestions. In particular, his comments about combining jobs for better efficiency and re evaluating fertiliser formulations are particularly appropriate.
One of my biggest issues is the continual use of catchers anywhere but on greens. The same applies to walk mowing anything other than greens as well.
Constantly removing nutrients that in turn then have to be applied via fertiliser seems to me to be somewhat counter intuitive. I have no issue with the periodic us of catchers for a major event or if weather conditions determine it, but I feel that too many courses have introduced these practices now as standard as opposed to special occasions.
Handmowing of tees, approaches, collars etc I also view as necessary. Broad spectrum application of these practices take place in situation where maybe a couple of tees actually require handmowing. If so, mow those couple by hand and triplex mow the rest. There is no need to mow them all by hand because 2 or 3 need it.
The following photos show a course with what appears to be the last 75-80 yards of the fairway have been hand mown. Why?
For me, things like this are not driven by golfer demand but are pushes by industry types striving for great grass as opposed to great surfaces.
The funny thins about inspiration or creativity is it can be found or happen anywhere. I have seen people become very narrow in their search for different ways of doing things and they only look to their equivalent situations or those higher up. Some of the most efficient and resourceful operations you will ever come across are the smaller 1,2 and 3 man courses. In places like these, every dollar counts and there is simply no room for wastage or luxury spending. These guys are productive and deliver results with very little because they have to. There isnt a choice. Larger operations can choose to be more frugal or direct their resources more efficiently. Unfortunately, it is a choice many simply do not wish to make because it involves, as Neil points out, ripping programs apart and questioning your own actions.