Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a frost delay?
Golf course superintendents will delay the start of play when frost covers the playing surface. Frost is actually frozen dew. Because a grass blade is mostly water, it freezes as well when frost is present, making it very brittle. By walking on frost covered grass, the leaf blades break and cells rupture. The result is that the grass turns brown and eventually dies, making it susceptible to disease and weed infestation. Golf course superintendents do not like frost delays any more than golfers because the frost prevents them from undertaking maintenance activities.

Why repair a ball mark?
Research has shown that a repaired ball mark takes 2-3 days to heal properly, while an unrepaired ball mark takes 15-20 days to heal properly thus affecting the quality and the playability of the putting green.

What is core aeration and why is it done?
Core aeration (also know as aerification, aerating, aerifying) is a maintenance practice that promotes healthy turf growth, especially in compacted surfaces such as putting greens. A machine, known as an aerifier, removes 3 inches to 5 inches long and 3/8-inch to 1-inch diamater cores of turf and soil. Usually done on an annual basis, aeration is the means to promote growth in compacted soils (due to heavy traffic or bad soil composition). The removal of cores allows water, air and nutrients to reach the soil roots, thereby enhancing growth. It also removes excess build-up of organic matter which can contribute to unfavorable growing conditions.


Why should I re-grip my clubs?
Grips are made from materials that age and wear as a function of time. Ozone, heat, dirt, and oils from your hands all age your grips and cause the natural degradation of the grip. The traction that a fresh grip provides will let you hold the club lightly without the subconscious fear of losing hold of the club during your swing. This relaxed state promotes proper swing mechanics and hand action, while a worn grip causes you to hold the club tighter, causing arm and wrist tension that inhibits proper swing motions.

How does the PGA Golf Professional at the course compare to the professional golfer’s we see on television playing the PGA Tour?
The PGA Golf Professional who is on site at most respectable golf courses and country clubs is both similar and different from the players playing on the PGA Tour. The connection began back in the early to mid 1900’s when the professional golf tournaments of the PGA Tour were filled with club professionals who would take a few weeks off from running their respective golf courses to play competitively against each other on a national level. By the 1960’s, the majority of the touring professional golfers could make enough money playing so that they did not have to keep their club jobs. This is when the touring professionals leased the initials “PGA” from the PGA of America and created the PGA Tour. Since then, PGA Tour professionals have made their living playing golf, while PGA of America members make their living being the golf professionals, general managers, and owners, as just a few of the roles filled by PGA Members across the country.

PGA Members serve a difficult apprenticeship where they learn all the facets of the golf industry such as teaching golf, merchandising, golf course operations, tournament operations and cart fleet management to name just a few. They must complete this training by serving under a PGA Member and completing the academic requirements or by graduating from a specialized PGA/PGM College. A PGA Apprentice must also pass a playing ability test to qualify for PGA Membership. This playing proficiency is why you will see many PGA Members occasionally playing against their PGA Tour counterparts in events for which they qualify for. After attaining PGA Membership, the PGA Member must continually educate themselves through a variety of advanced educational programs offered through the PGA so they can maintain their active status in the PGA of America.