I recently came across an Oscar Wilde quote that states, "Anyone who lives within his means suffers from a lack of imagination."

For whatever reason, the author's words got me thinking about how we tend to settle for things and, more to the golf course management point, settle for things because that's the way we've always done them or that's how we've been taught to do them. This contemplation led me, somehow (must have been a really slow day), to wondering about what types of inventions or, if you will, advances, could be conceived to help golf course superintendents in the future — specifically to help them with the ever-growing problem of money spent on labor.

Want to cut down on labor and, hence, money spent on labor? Then put away the string trimmers, and let the brush take over the water's edge.

With prices for just about everything we purchase for the maintenance of the golf course skyrocketing — especially fuel — and the seemingly common trend of stagnant if not decreasing budgets, something has to be done to help us tow that difficult line. Decreasing money spent on labor, the No. 1 line item in almost every golf course superintendent's budget, is perhaps the only reasonable way to combat the troubling issue of budget woes. And the only way to cut down on those labor costs without sacrificing quality is to come up with better and more efficient ways to do things.

I'm a good one for Top 10 Lists, and this topic seemed to literally cry out for one like a baby who hasn't eaten in four hours (recent newborn, can you tell?). So let's make this one a Top Five List. We'll call it (a bit tongue in cheek, if you don't mind):

The Top Five Inventions or Creative Advancements to Save on Man-Hours.

(Not exactly catchy, I admit, but nevertheless to the point)

5 Robotic Mowers

You know the visual we all have of the mass of fairway mowers at Augusta National during Masters week charging across the 15th fairway like an army and mowing it in two minutes (if it's not two minutes, it can't be much more). Now imagine that same scene but with no one riding the fairway mowers. A bit scary, eh?

4 No Maintenance Week

How would this sign go over posted outside the first tee on Monday morning: NO MAINTENANCE WEEK! ENJOY! Actually, it would probably not be as bad on Monday morning of the week as say Thursday or Friday. And you might not want to show your face on the weekend.

3 Deceptive Budget Reasoning With Green Chairman or Owner

Quote professional football player Keith Davis to him or her: "We didn't actually overspend our budget. The allocation simply fell short of our expenditure."

2 Growth Regulator Rates to Halt Vertical Growth For Entire Season

I actually tried (by horrible accident) Primo Maxx at six times the rate. Not recommended.

1 The Ultimate Versatile Mower for All Your Mowing Needs

Fast greens do not always mean good greens. If superintendents can convince golfers of this, they can cut back on a lot of maintenance practices that will save them money.

Picture this at the next trade show: A mower that can cut your fairways at one-half inch; then, at the push of a button, mow your rough at 1.5 inches; then, at the push of a button again, mow your approaches and tees at four-tenths of an inch. And then, on the way into the shop, you mow the surrounds quickly at 1 inch with one more push of the button. Let's keep the mower off the greens though, shall we?