For golfers, ‘ridge and furrow’ adds both visual impact and added challenge to a course. The previous plough lines with their raised ridges and sunken furrows, bring a little more theatre to the game and give a historic nod to the past. 

Strathaven Golf Club, in South Lanarkshire, has three fairways – the 6th, 10th and 11th– all of which boast deep and dramatic undulations. 

After finding some mowers less than successful at dealing with their rise and fall, Steve Hunter, Head Greenkeeper, has purchased a Jacobsen SLF530 from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Renfrew. 

“This machine is all about extra care for tees and aprons and undulating fairways. It follows the line down into them so much better and doesn’t leave any missed bits. The smaller cutting heads, the way it floats and pivots, just help give it a cleaner cut and all-over smooth finish. 

“Other machines are a little faster but the benefit of the SLF530 is the quality and definition to the surfaces. It’s out once a week now, but twice a week minimum in the summer,” he said. 

Stuart Cameron, Area Sales Manager from Fairways GM was on hand to advise, deliver and install the machine. 

The team at Strathaven GC, comprises five qualified greenkeepers and two apprentices. In 2023, the team won the BIGGA Greenkeeping Project of the Year award.