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In October 2006 Lullingstone Park Golf Club, near Sevenoaks in Kent, undertook a trial using Scotts H2Pro Maximise to help solve a perennial problem of ‘puddling up’ on the greens during periods of heavy rainfall.

H2Pro Maximise was applied at the label application rate – 40 litres of product in 500 litres of water per hectare – to one green on the 18-hole course, and one green on the 9-hole course. A further application was applied in December, eight weeks after the initial application.

Course manager Melvin Tassell made both applications immediately prior to heavy rain, to ascertain the penetrative qualities of the product. He commented: “After the first application surface water had virtually disappeared within an hour of the rain stopping, and puddling was virtually eliminated after the second application, despite almost 3in of rain in one week. Verti-draining was carried out prior to both applications, in addition to regular slitting over the two-month trial application period.”

The longevity of the product was approximately four weeks. The soil profile was examined before and during the trial periods, and both Melvin and Scotts area sales manager John Noyce, who monitored the trials, noticed that the soil structure and friability improved after both applications of H2Pro Maximise. No scorching or discolouration was observed after application and treated greens were more playable under the very wet conditions.

Melvin was so impressed with the performance of the trial product, that he ordered 60 litres to treat both the 18-hole and the 9-hole courses in February 2007. Melvin reported an amazing result from this.

“The 18-hole course was treated, but due to a mechanical breakdown, the 9-hole course was left to be treated the following day,” said Melvin. “That night we had 3/4in of rain, and the next day the 18-hole course was open, but the 9-hole course was closed for two days due to waterlogged greens.”

A further conclusive endorsement for the product was the relatively low water rates of 500 litres per hectare, making applications straightforward.