Utilizing Turf Sensors on Your Golf Course

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Technology is everywhere these days. Some of the most unique technology available today is for your golf course. The Kansas City Country Club implemented the Toro Turf Guard system a few years ago with the installation of our new irrigation system. These small probes allow us to make smarter decisions with our irrigation and fertilization practices.

The system gives us essential soil information we need, when we need it. It allows us to stay up-to-date on our current soil moisture, salinity, and temperature conditions by sending repeated information from the field to our computer control system.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The sensors can be installed at any desired depth and location. We currently have a total of 13 Turf Guard sensors installed in greens and two in fairways. The sensors have dramatically enhanced our ability to manage moisture levels on greens throughout the stressful summer months.

Data can be presented in graphs that help us visualize trends. It allows us to be proactive in managing these areas. Another benefit of recording this soil data is the ability to validate past agronomic decisions or aid in presenting new management ideas and strategies. Most recently, we utilized this data to justify the implementation of greens fans during the summer months for one of our greens. This may not have happened had we not been able to produce the data necessary to highlight a fans impact on turf in high stress environments.

The Toro Turf Guard system is yet another tool The Kansas City Country Club uses to provide the best experience and course conditions to our members year-round.