The pace of golf greens has never been more central to how the golfer views the quality of a given golf course. Good speed is now demanded meaning greenkeepers are exploring new methods to decrease the resistance between the green surface and the ball, thus increasing the green speed.

The SmartVibe™ Vibration cassette from ATT couples a high frequency vibration rate through two rollers, offering an unbeatable method of levelling the greens surface.

SmartVibeTM™ vibratory rolling limits the stress on the slow growing plant.  It is a clever method of making surfaces acceptable for play and at the same time limiting stress on the slow growing grass plant – it is an excellent solution compared to a hefty roller which could increase compaction.

                           Pat Swinn with the ATT SmartVibe units on the Greensmaster at Rushmere Golf Club.

SmartVibe™ has an operating frequency of 83Hz transferred through two 63mm diameter rollers to achieve fast, true putting surfaces with no chance of corrugation occurring on the green surface.  They are a good safe option that can be used in combination with shallow tining to prevent surface sealing. Their use will help true the surface and it is ideal for use between cuts to keep a good consistent speed on the playing surface. Integrating this with the topdressing of the greens will get a good firm and true playing surface for the season ahead.

Rushmere Golf Club, on the outskirts of Ipswich, has recently invested in 3 ATT SmartVibe™ units for their Toro Greensmaster for use on the greens on the 18 hole course.  More than 400 acres of Rushmere is registered as common land so “the greens team have to ‘dodge’ a lot of dog walkers and family bike rides when it comes to maintenance!” says Head Greenkeeper Pat Swinn.

“With a small team, speed is of the essence so any equipment that can get the jobs done quicker is always welcomed. So when Eddie and Stuart from Ernest Doe came in to discuss the levelling of our greens, and set up a demo of the ATT cassettes, we were really impressed and hooked.  All of us saying what great tools they were.

We previously used a ride on unit but this was a bit awkward – you had to hitch it up, tow it behind a buggy, unhook it, ride across the greens sideways then hitch it back up and move on. It would also make quite a bit of mess and struggle with any sort incline if the grass was even slightly damp. With limited resources this was a big exercise.  We’ve been able to use these cassettes more in the few months we’ve had them than we did with the other unit that we’d had for years.  We’re saving so much time by using them on our Toro Greensmaster – it’s just as quick as cutting a green.

The feedback we’ve had from the players on the speed and trueness of the greens has been great – they say play is quicker now than it ever has been.”

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