Traffic Patterns

It is the heat of summer again at MacGregor Downs. With it comes stress to all of the turf types on the golf course. One area that sees a lot of stress is the high cart and foot traffic areas along the edges of the cart paths and green walk up areas. Traffic wear patterns show up quickly and can be difficult to maintain and alleviate. Ropes and cart signs used by the maintenance staff are placed in these areas to reduce the amount of traffic during play. Using these tools help us minimize compaction by redirecting traffic away from suspect areas. The signs of compaction are shown by reduced plant growth, browning out, and thinning of the turf areas.

#2 Green Walk Up



#5 Tee



#5 Green Walk Up



#8 Tee



Please follow any redirecting signage and help us prevent compaction in high traffic areas.

In these areas that receive high traffic, we are trying a product to help reduce the amount of compaction and the reason to resod those areas every year. #4 tee walk up has a product called Tuff Tracks installed. Tuff Tracks is a plastic honeycomb shaped track installed under the sod that restricts traffic from walking or driving directly on the clay soil and turf plants. Tuff Tracks allow turf plants to establish inside the honeycomb shapes under the point of where traffic occurs. Plants can survive and regrow in the track without compaction and stress. After the end of the year, #4 will be evaluated and determined if Tuff Tracks is a success. If a success other areas of high traffic will have Tuff Tracks installed as well.

Tuff Tracks