Golf courses occupy 20% of the Sandlings - it is therefore very important that these areas are well managed and that the course managers and head green keepers are fully aware of the potential consequences of their course management decisions, particularly within the areas of rough.

The droughts through the early and mid 1990's caused considerable stress on course vegetation, particularly the fairway grass sward. On a few courses this led to significant changes in management being considered based on increased watering, more widespread fertiliser and lime use together with sowing different grasses on the fairways. This caused some concern as these changes would have altered the soil characteristics on these courses and caused significant damage to the heathland vegetation.

Discussions were held with the managers of some of the local courses. We were reassured to discover that there was a forum of course managers which met on a regular basis and that there were some very experienced and respected members of this forum who supported the more traditional management, specifically working to create a fine leaved grass sward typical of the Sandlings acid grass heaths. This sward needs less maintenance than the alternate 'fed and watered' sward and is better adapted to survive dry summers, as well as giving a better playing surface.

It is difficult to say whether the opinions of the experienced supportive course managers held sway, or if two wet summers have caused the problems of drought stricken summer grass swards to be rather less of an issue.

Investigating these issues however has made some good contacts with the golfing community and given a much deeper understanding of the inner workings of course management, both planning and practice. A watching brief will continue but generally the future for heathland golf courses appears to be secure.

The wild side of golf

More information about managing golf courses for skylarks