WSJ 8 May: "Is Brown the New Green?"

[Jason McNamara]

Newport's column yesterday:

"When Jim Hyler was inaugurated as president of the U.S. Golf Association in February, he surprised many by speaking out more forcibly than USGA presidents are wont to do on a controversial subject: water usage and the misguided perception that golf courses need to be lush, green and perfect to be good."

http://tinyurl.com/23aqxrc

Not much new for readers here, but a good article to pass along when making the case to others.

[Jon Wiggett]

Jason,

from an ecological point of view then yes. This is one of the major directions that golf is going to have to embrace across large area of the globe. It will transform the way courses are built not just in the way of rootzones having to lessen the sand content but also from a GCA point with the ground game having to be thought about a lot more. The biggest battle IMHO though will be to change the attitude of many of the golfers especially in the US where the desire for fairness of result often seems to override the desire for challenge and interest.

Jon

[Patrick_Mucci]

The biggest battle IMHO though will be to change the attitude of many of the golfers especially in the US where the desire for fairness of result often seems to override the desire for challenge and interest.


Jon,

I think it's a combination of what you state above, and the attainment of F&F vis a vis reduction of water application.

[Mike McGuire]

The biggest battle IMHO though will be to change the attitude of many of the golfers especially in the US where the desire for fairness of result often seems to override the desire for challenge and interest.


Jon,

I think it's a combination of what you state above, and the attainment of F&F vis a vis reduction of water application.

...both of which will take years to accomplish. Neither happen in one season.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mike,

You're right, but at least there's movement in the right direction.

I suspect that a weak to poor economy will be the catalyst accelerating that movement.

[Carl Rogers]

The trend has now arrived when mainstream organizations like the WSJ acknolwedge that reality.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jason,

The article confirms what I've been saying for years.

TV is "A" major culprit in perpetuating lush, green conditions.

However, looking at the greens in the Player's Championship at TPC at Ponte Vedra, is encouraging.

Those greens appear to be the yellowish/brownish/green that make for great playing conditions

[Adam Lawrence]

Henry Delozier of Global Golf Advisors put out a really interesting report a short while ago, in which he said that, according to his research, the 'brown is the new green' gospel had been generally accepted by the industry but _not_ by golfers to a significant degree (obviously in the US). To me this is the key. The golf business is pretty much convinced, for a variety of reasons, but many players within the business don't dare to move down that route for fear of their customers' reaction. Every sucessful case study is a step in the right direction.

[Bill Brightly]

Excellent article, thanks for posting. I intend to send this to the Board and Super at my club.

Maybe a superintendent can answer this:  in the northeast US, with a typical poa/bent mix on the greens, can you let the greens stay dry an brown? Or will the poa die?

[Jason McNamara]

However, looking at the greens in the Player's Championship at TPC at Ponte Vedra, is encouraging.

Those greens appear to be the yellowish/brownish/green that make for great playing conditions

Definitely, Pat.  The club where I used to play had greens that come summertime were closer to gray.   The greens were fairly flat (it's Houston), so the fast speeds were manageable.  Anyway, there is now the "play the curves" argument, the save money argument, the eco argument, and of course the long drive argument. 

The only argument that can't be rebutted is the that of the not-as-good-as-he-thinks golfer who wants to be able to stop his thin 7-iron within a foot of where it lands.  (Good luck with that guy.)

Interesting comment, Adam - makes sense.  Is that report available online, or is it a subscription thing?

Carl, I think John Paul Newport has been on "our side" for some time - give him some credit.

Oh, and Bill, you're welcome.

[jeffwarne]

Jason,

The article confirms what I've been saying for years.

TV is "A" major culprit in perpetuating lush, green conditions.

However, looking at the greens in the Player's Championship at TPC at Ponte Vedra, is encouraging.

Those greens appear to be the yellowish/brownish/green that make for great playing conditions

Not sure that courses closing for a year and sand capping the fairways is a viable solution for most courses.
Firm and fast is rarely cheap unless natural conditions and seasons allow

[Patrick_Mucci]

Jason,

The article confirms what I've been saying for years.

TV is "A" major culprit in perpetuating lush, green conditions.

However, looking at the greens in the Player's Championship at TPC at Ponte Vedra, is encouraging.

Those greens appear to be the yellowish/brownish/green that make for great playing conditions

Not sure that courses closing for a year and sand capping the fairways is a viable solution for most courses.
Firm and fast is rarely cheap unless natural conditions and seasons allow

Mother Nature always takes precedence.

However, many clubs, including my own in NJ, were fast and firm for decades and decades until automated sprinkler systems were installed.

June, July and August are the heart of the golfing season in these parts and F&F is easily achievable in a relatively short time if that's the direction the club wants to go.