Customer Reviews

Practical Golf Course Maintenance: The Magic of Greenkeeping

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This book is best suited for the first-time greenskeeper or a greens committee member. It contains basic processes such as top-dressing and stays away from specifics like optimal mower height settings for greens. In addition, this book stays away from prescribing remidies for such things as excessive thatch buildup or constant fungus problems. If all you want are the very basics in management practices then buy this book. If you are searching for innovative and detailed turf management applications then you will need to supplement this book with other references.

While perhaps limited to the basics, Witteveen's text is well organized and comprehensive enough to assure that I'll achieve my professional goal of being promoted from Assistant Greenskeeper to Head Greenskeeper within 6 years. In fact, in my opinion, it's on par with Chuck Shick's seminal treatise on the subject. One nitpicky point is that the treatment of cinch bugs, manganese, nitrogen and gophers (and other varmint menaces to the golfing industry) is far too brief. Also, more advanced topics such as the theory and practice of inventing your own type of grass would be welcome. Overall, though, it is top notch!

A couple of years ago, I purchased a small golf course in California. I knew nothing about how to keep a golf course in good shape much less improve it. When my superintendent quit, I was up the proverbial creek. I turned to this book for help. It is a great book for those who have had minimal or no exposure to how to keep up the various parts (green, tee boxes, fairways, rough, bunkers, etc.) of a golf course. While I probably won't act as superintendent for very long, I feel armed now with basic greenkeeping knowledge, and it is recommended (and soon to be required) reading for all of my course and clubhouse workers.