A few of the students in HCS 3475 had the opportunity to explain the cutting unit on a walk behind greens mower. After explaining the major components of the greens mower, the students were asked, much to their surprise, to quickly restate what they had learned on video. I think they did a great job for having little turf experience and only being allowed a couple of attempts.
HCS 3475
What does a ’69 Firebird have in Common with Greens Mower Evolution?
What does a 1969 Pontiac Firebird have in common with a 1968-69 riding Green Mower? The evolution of cars and mowers makes for a nice analogy.
HCS 3370 Offered Online Spring Semester
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
What Does a Golf Course Superintendent Do in the Winter?
Mr Bob Becker, golf course superintendent at Scioto Country Club briefly discusses what a golf course staff does during the winter in Ohio. In addition, a quick look at his new maintenance facility is provided.
Suggested Course Path for Turfgrass Management Minor
The Turfgrass Management Minor is structured toward those students who hope to receive positions in the sports industry. The minor provides a historical and technical background into the management of golf and athletic surfaces. The official minor description of courses to select from are found at Turfgrass Management Minor. Based on the minor we would suggest the following course path for those in sports industry area.
| Course # | Title | Teaching Format (Lecture or Online) | Units | Instructor |
| Required (7 units) | ||||
| HCS 2201 | Ecology of Managed Plant Systems | Lecture/Lab | 4 | Barker |
| HCS 3475 | Turfgrass Management for Golf Course Managers | Lecture or Online | 3 | Danneberger |
| OR | (take either HCS 3470 or 3475) | |||
| HCS 3470 | Principles of Turfgrass Selection and Management | Lecture/Lab | 3 | Gardner |
| SuggestedElectives(6-8 units) | ||||
| HCS 2270 | Historical Perspectives on Golf Course Design and Management | Lecture or Online | 2 | Danneberger |
| HCS 3370 | Sports Turf Management | Lecture or Online | 2 | Sherratt |
| HCS 4193 | Independent Study (Baseball Field Management) | Online | 2 | Sherratt |
| HCS 5890 | Turfgrass Seminar (Assessing Athletic Field Quality/Safety) | Online | 1 | Sherratt |
| Additional Electives (if needed or for substitution) | ||||
| HCS 4570 | Turfgrass Management and Science | Lecture | 3 | Danneberger |
| HCS 5670 | Golf Courses and Their Environment | Lecture | 2 | Gardner |
Class References
In several of our classes (and online certificates) we offer mostly free iBooks (some have a nominal charge) that are pertinent to material covered in the class. Several of the books contain the class material or focus on a specific topic that is pertinent to the class or certificate. These books were developed largely in an visual interactive format to provide a better learning experience. In the widget below is a list of the books available. If the widget does not appear try a different browser.
The iBooks that are suggested (helpful) for specific classes are:
HCS 2270 (Historical Perspective on Golf Course Design and Management): The iBook by the same class name contains the vast majority of material covered in the class (If we required a book for this class this would be it).
HCS 3470 (Principles of Turfgrass Selection and Management): The iBook that would be a good reference book for this class is entitled “Turfgrass Management: Turfgrasses“. The book provides information by various means that is applicable for both lecture and laboratory.
HCS 3475 (Turf Management for Golf Course Managers): The iBook entitled “Golf Course Management” contains all the material needed for the class and some additional material (If we required a book for this class this would be it.).
HCSZ 4570 (Turfgrass Management and Science): This course is the advanced turfgrass class that follows HCS 3470 or HCS 3475. The iBook entitled “Golf Course Management: Advanced” contains all the material needed for the class (If we required a book for this class this would be it.) In addition the iBooks entitled “Winter Injury” and “Salt Affected Sites” provides more detailed description of specific subjects covered in the course.
Playability: Firmness
Golf has increasingly moved toward firmer surfaces primarily for putting greens but also fairways. Increasing firmness makes golf more difficult for the better players. Firm greens for example tend to be fast, are not as receptive to golf shots (less holding characteristics). Firmness increases with a decrease in soil moisture. Related to that, organic matter or thatch can reduce firmness (make greens softer) so managing or removing organic matter is important. Measuring firmness is demonstrated in the video below
Playability: Bunkers
When a golfer describes the golf course as “not very playable”, what does that mean? Playability of a golf course is a vague term that in many ways reflects the wishes of an individual or group of golfers. As we progress through the classes HCS 2270 “Historical Perspective on Golf Course Design” and HCS 3475 “Turfgrass Management for Golf Course Managers” what comprises playability will be discussed. Continue reading Playability: Bunkers