Is Precision Management on Golf Courses Feasible? Phillip Fisher Soil 4213

The Golf Economy Generates billions of dollars in national revenues yearlyGenerates billions of dollars in national revenues yearly Per capita golf expenditures increased from $354 in 1986 to $776 in 1997Per capita golf expenditures increased from $354 in 1986 to $776 in 1997 Approximately 30 million golfers in U.S. aloneApproximately 30 million golfers in U.S. alone

Industry Growth Continuous Growth: 2% annually through 2010Continuous Growth: 2% annually through 2010 Courses under development and in planning for construction exceeds 2000Courses under development and in planning for construction exceeds 2000 This year 442 new courses compared to pre-1987 average of 150This year 442 new courses compared to pre-1987 average of 150

Show Me the Money! U.S. Open at Southern Hills will generate around million dollarsU.S. Open at Southern Hills will generate around million dollars New courses being built creates instant money due to housing developmentsNew courses being built creates instant money due to housing developments Many courses have a budget of $1 million due to constant drive for perfectionMany courses have a budget of $1 million due to constant drive for perfection

Why Precision Management? Perfectionist (Guinea pigs with money)Perfectionist (Guinea pigs with money) ENVIRONMENT *Water *ChemicalsENVIRONMENT *Water *Chemicals Saving costs on the golf course *Cut application rates *Cut laborSaving costs on the golf course *Cut application rates *Cut labor

Application of Fertilizer Fertilizers and pesticides are applied on averages Excess nutrients may leach Environmental risks and economic loss

How is Turf Quality Evaluated? Visual Evaluation *Subjective process that requires experience *Rate grass 1-9Visual Evaluation *Subjective process that requires experience *Rate grass 1-9 Optical Sensing *Objective and requires less experience *Measures irradiance reflected from turf canopy *NDVIOptical Sensing *Objective and requires less experience *Measures irradiance reflected from turf canopy *NDVI

Research in Precision Management of Turf Herbicide tolerance of cold- resistant bermuda cultivarsHerbicide tolerance of cold- resistant bermuda cultivars Turf quality evaluated by visual and optical sensingTurf quality evaluated by visual and optical sensing Two different sensors *OSU *CATwo different sensors *OSU *CA

OSU Sensor

CA Sensor

Results Cultivars were similar in responseCultivars were similar in response V-MOS results matched visual *OKS 91-11: 73 of 80(July) 67 of 80(Sept.) *Midlawn: 65 of 80(July) 70 of 80 (Sept.)V-MOS results matched visual *OKS 91-11: 73 of 80(July) 67 of 80(Sept.) *Midlawn: 65 of 80(July) 70 of 80 (Sept.) NDVI: (untreated plots) difference %44 where all were given 9’s visuallyNDVI: (untreated plots) difference %44 where all were given 9’s visually

Evaluating V-MOS Turf rated monthly for 1 year using VMOS & three human evaluatorsTurf rated monthly for 1 year using VMOS & three human evaluators VMOS required 2X time than visualVMOS required 2X time than visual Correlation: Visual & NDVI *Color r^2 =.75(fescue) &.41(bent) *PLC r^2 =.39(fescue) &.34(bent) *Texture r^2 =.01(fescue) &.04(bent)Correlation: Visual & NDVI *Color r^2 =.75(fescue) &.41(bent) *PLC r^2 =.39(fescue) &.34(bent) *Texture r^2 =.01(fescue) &.04(bent)

Consistency of Rating Techniques NDVI more consistent over time *Coefficients of determination higher in 34 of 36 comparisons with 2 of 3 evaluatorsNDVI more consistent over time *Coefficients of determination higher in 34 of 36 comparisons with 2 of 3 evaluators Correlation of evaluator between consecutive days suggest visual inaccuracyCorrelation of evaluator between consecutive days suggest visual inaccuracy Sensor readings are repeatable with approximately 80% accuracySensor readings are repeatable with approximately 80% accuracy

Conclusion Precision management will be the wave of the future in turfPrecision management will be the wave of the future in turf Faster processing of V-MOS neededFaster processing of V-MOS needed Technology advances will decrease price and improve sensorsTechnology advances will decrease price and improve sensors Precision Management is Feasible!Precision Management is Feasible!

Questions References: Dr. Greg Bell et. Al U.S.G.A. G.C.S.A.A.