frost covered golf tee with the predator logo on a tee off marker

Spread The Wear

Written by Mike Long, Predator Ridge Golf Superintendent

As I write this, we are nearing May 2021 and by the looks of the current situation with COVID-19 in BC, it would seem that we are going to see another year of physical distancing measures on golf courses.

Fortunately for us, golfing is a great way to get outside and enjoy the outdoors safely. While physical distancing guidelines are very important in limiting the spread of COVID-19, they have brought Turf Managers an increasing problem with extra wear and tear on golf courses from double the amount of golf carts being used.

collage of golf carts, practice facility and a man in mid golf swing

During the first month of our 2021 golf season we have seen a dramatic increase in cart traffic on our courses. Where we would normally see 2 golf carts used per golf group carrying 4 people, we are now seeing 4 carts/group. This is DOUBLE the traffic!

This traffic is leading to our courses seeing twice the compaction and twice the wear in one year. Compaction and wear can really affect a golf course in a hurry by bringing stunting and death problems in areas.

The primary areas that we notice these issues are on our “entrance and exit” on golf holes that funnel into one area. These areas are where golfers will naturally want to drive. This is why we want to encourage all golfers to “scatter” or disperse their cart traffic and stick to the 90° degree rule.

two women walking from the swing like a girl golf cart on the golf course

The 90° degree rule is:

  • Drive from the cartpath to your ball.
  • Hit your shot and then drive back to the cartpath.
  • Do not drive up the middle of the fairway.

Spreading our wear areas out will ensure our courses stay in stellar shape and eliminate some bigger issues from showing up on our courses.

hole 6 of the ridge course with the cart path

Some great examples of small, worn entrance/exit areas are on the Ridge Course holes 4, 6 and 10 along the cartpath. We need to try and avoid worn looking areas to try and avoid further damage. If an area looks worn, just pick a different area to enter or exit from. 

This is the same reason we ask people to park on the cartpaths, instead of a foot or two on the turf by greens and tees.

Some great examples of fairway funnels are on the Ridge course holes 13 & 14. Because these holes are funneled to the middle of the fairway, 99% of golf carts will drive on these holes. This is leading to some severe turf decline and could result in poor playing conditions in the future.

We need your help to try and “spread the wear”. Please keep to the 90° degree rule when you are out playing on our courses. It doesn’t take any extra effort, just some cooperation and knowledge, to ensure our golf conditions at Predator Ridge stay stellar throughout the season!

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