How embracing technology now can help you and your course well into the future

By |  May 21, 2024 0 Comments

I will never forget using a GPS sprayer on a greens spray application for the first time. The boundary control, overlap prevention and a visual map of where I had sprayed felt like I had stepped into a golf course from The Jetsons. As both the manager directly responsible for the spray program and the operator driving the sprayer, my stress level on application days decreased while the quality of spray increased.

Benton Hodges

Benton Hodges

And while there were hiccups with implementation like any piece of equipment or technology, after a few applications, we had our system dialed in. Using indicator dye on our greens spray left my boss nearly speechless when he saw the accuracy evidenced by a perfect outline.

My anxiety following important applications began to reach more reasonable levels. I no longer woke up in a cold sweat wondering if I skipped that final pass on the 13th fairway, or if that corner on the third green was going to be OK after overlapping a bit to avoid a bunker.

We are all aware of the financial benefits of GPS spraying, like product savings due to increased efficiency. However, where this technology stuck out to me was the ability to make a major part of my job less taxing and the trickle-down effect that had on my mental health.

My experience with this technology is what led me down this slightly scary road of becoming one of the first technology consultants focused on the turfgrass industry, and why I’m writing this column for Golfdom.

I believe strongly that technology can be used in turfgrass management to not only improve conditions, save money, solve labor issues and more, but also to increase the quality of lives of superintendents, assistants and crew members by providing the breathing room so many of the people in this industry desperately need.

Turfgrass management in 2050

We’re quickly approaching 2025, which makes for an easy excuse to look ahead to the next quarter of a century in 2050 while also reflecting on the progression since 2000. In this column, I hope to make technology more approachable by painting a broader picture of technology by talking about the past, present and the future.

While some technologies do not make sense for full-scale integration for most golf courses, many are viable options for a wide range of properties for different uses in 2024. They will only continue to grow in accessibility and affordability. I predict golf courses that are thriving in 2050 will be the same operations that began to incorporate technology now or in the next few years.

That’s cool, but turf tech ain’t for me

If you are old school and feel like the new school isn’t for you, ask your assistant, AIT or intern if they would take on the task. Many parts of technology that might intimidate superintendents such as phone apps, dashboards and user interfaces come naturally to the younger (not wiser) generation. Leaning into their strengths will create a sense of ownership and build trust between directors/superintendents and their assistants. Teamwork makes the dream work — robots, sensors and computers are now part of the team.

Attracting labor is an issue in the turfgrass industry, especially assistants and interns. With the golf boom after COVID, there has been a small resurgence in enrollment in turf schools, and this younger generation is already making decisions based on technology use at courses.

I’ll leave you with a thought experiment. Would you get more applicants by posting:

a) “2025 Turf Interns” or

b) “2025 Turf Technology Interns”

This article is tagged with , and posted in Columns, From the Magazine

About the Author: Benton Hodges

Hodges started his career in the turfgrass industry as a researcher at Mississippi State University followed by nearly a decade at high-end golf clubs as an assistant superintendent in the Mountain West. He now focuses his efforts on helping golf courses leverage technology-driven solutions while maintaining a people-first mindset. Find him on X at @BPHTurf or LinkedIn.


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