Category: Weather

Violent thunderstorms and torrential downpours have been causing huge disruption across large parts of the UK. Speaking to course manager friends, one can be sitting under a dark cloud whilst the rain teems down, then five miles up the road another is baking in the heat and not a drop of rain. It’s just so…

What an incredible weekend for full on sunshine, which is set to last all week. You can almost hear the Clegg Hammers bouncing as surfaces firm up, rather than a soft dull thud! I spent Saturday basking in the sun at The Centurion Club near St Albans, for the GolfSixes. And whilst there was plenty…

After several successive years with an early start to spring, this February’s cold and wet weather conditions across most of the UK had dispelled hopes of early growth. And with March kicking off beneath a snow blanket and bitterly east winds, there’s little signs of potential for any turf activity – certainly before mid-month. I’ve…

February may officially still be winter but, if the trend of recent years is to be repeated, it can feel like the start of spring. However, after a wet season with frequently waterlogged soils over recent months, further wet and windy weather could see conditions quickly deteriorate. Looking at GreenCast weather records and Met Office…

This morning’s Daily Star has the first of the season’s prophecies of freezing temperatures and, yes, you’ve guessed it – A White Christmas!! So, what’s the reality – assuming that the Daily Star is not right. This season’s relatively wet and warm autumn weather conditions has already resulted in some of the most challenging conditions…

I’ve always found that weather records of past seasons’ experiences give a good indication of what’s likely to come for this year. September weather patterns over recent seasons have typically recorded good growing conditions, continuing well into the autumn. That gives opportunities to improve turf health and surface quality, but does create other issues to…

A lot of the guys I’ve been talking to of late have been grumbling about the constant grass growth with all the rainfall over recent weeks – and the problems of mowing in permanently wet conditions. But the good news is that you can take advantage of good growing conditions in August to prepare your…

One of the great things about my job is that I get to spend time chatting with turf managers. Last week I had the pleasure of working at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, as part of the awesome support team, supporting James Bledge and his fine team. James and his team prepared a first class…

Whilst June can produce some ideal growing conditions, recent history of weather records show it also has the potential to pose extreme stress on turf plant health; from high heat and drought conditions, to some of the heaviest rainstorms and flash flooding. After the exceptionally dry and slow spring this season, statistically, we can look…

Great day yesterday with a group of turf guys talking about fungicide planning for the autumn. Now this doesn’t mean using lots or even any, but looking at your surfaces, assessing the risk and putting a plan in place for what you might need, to get the best surfaces, with the least cost. A difficult…