Keeping your golf course irrigation system maintained can prevent costly water waste, keep each of the components working optimally, and add to the life of the system as a whole. Experienced golf course maintenance professionals and irrigation engineers will conduct visual and manual inspections of everything from the central control station to golf rotors and sprinklers.
The pros at Vanden Bussche Irrigation have put together the following tips to help consultants and superintendents maintain the golf course and reduce water use. Refer to the Golf Course Industry article for more detailed advice.
Golf rotors can typically throw out a spray of water anywhere from 30-to-90 feet. Although the components of a golf rotor require little maintenance, worn seals and cracked cases can still be a common issue for this popular product. Worn seals and cracked cases are common issues with golf rotors. Extra TLC throughout the season will help prevent performance issues down the road.
Occasionally, adjust each rotor on the property to maintain the right arc and overlap. Here are common issues that can arise during your maintenance check:
Use historical evapotranspiration (ET) data, almanacs and other resources to adjust the controller program.
The most significant water-savings occur from monthly programming modifications that include:
Labelling each zone and adjusting your water budget can save you a tremendous amount of money. For example, consider 15-minute runtimes in cooler weather instead of the typical 24-minute cycles. As a rule of thumb, you can reduce your irrigation system to 80%.
Include the following controller equipment on your current maintenance checklist.
Our team at Vanden Bussche is experienced in designing, installing, and maintaining golf course irrigation systems across Ontario. Talk to us about your irrigation needs today, and let us help you. Call any of our locations across Ontario or contact us online.