We’re dealing with a climate of extremes. If we’ve not just gone through two of the wettest winters in decades, we’re now facing the driest spring for nearly 70 years.
The warm spring has been manna from heaven for golfers and sunseekers alike, but weeks without rain is proving a real challenge for the people charged with keeping your golf course in the best shape possible.
The body that represents greenkeepers, The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is now calling on clubs and golfers across the UK to give their members support as they battle these new elements.
How unusually dry has it been? Rainfall across many regions has been at historic lows over the past couple of months. The Met Office reported that Wales recorded its driest March since 1944, while East Anglia experienced its second-driest March on record.
With May showing little improvement, greenkeepers are under extreme pressure to maintain playing surfaces amid growing turf stress.
David Byron, Head Greenkeeper at Thorndon Park Golf Club in Essex, said: “It’s very, very dry. It’s the driest start to spring in nearly 70 years. We’ve had almost no rain, and what we have had has come in just one hit.
“In our fairways, we’re down to about 3–4% moisture content. Normally, you’d want 10 to 15% for the grass species we have.”
Such conditions are presenting major difficulties for greenkeepers trying to manage turf recovery and maintenance.
Areas without irrigation, such as fairways, are suffering, while teams attempt to preserve greens and tees with limited water resources.
How can golfers help greenkeepers in the UK’s driest spring for decades?
Royal Aberdeen’s Course Manager, Richard Johnstone, said he had recorded just 11mm of rainfall between April and early May: “We’re experiencing extreme weather patterns.
“There’s no longer a balance. Instead, we’re seeing one extreme or the other – either constant pouring rain or complete drought.
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“There doesn’t seem to be much consistency anymore, and that presents some big challenges.”
Paul Woodham, The R&A’s Agronomy Lead for Europe and the UK, said warm days combined with cold nights have disrupted seasonal growth, resulting in stressed grass and delayed recovery from winter damage.
He explained: “These combined stresses have made it difficult for greenkeepers managing the transition through spring and seeking surface refinement for main season performance. The fluctuation in unpredictable and extreme climatic conditions appears to be a seasonal norm testing the patience of the golfer.”
BIGGA are encouraging clubs to communicate openly with their members, sharing insight into current conditions and course management strategies.
“Our advice to clubs is to engage in professional dialogue with your Course Manager, set agreed objectives and show open support for your team of greenkeepers,” said BIGGA’s CEO Jim Croxton.
“They will be much more motivated and determined to overcome these challenges with strong support from their members.”
“As course managers, it’s our responsibility to communicate and educate,” added Johnstone. “We need to use various channels like social media, blogs, and other platforms to help people understand the current conditions and our management approach.”
Now have your say
How has your golf been affected by the dry spring spell? Are your greenkeepers battling to keep the course in tip-top shape? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment on X.
