Best Golf Course Management Practices

Bert McCarty is a Professor of Horticulture specializing in turfgrass science and management at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. A native of Batesburg, South Carolina, McCarty received a BS degree from Clemson University in Agronomy and Soils, an MS from North Carolina State University in Crop Science, and a PhD from Clemson University in Plant Physiology and Plant Pathology. Dr. McCarty spent nine years as a turfgrass specialist at the University of Florida in Gainesville. While at the University of Florida, he oversaw the design and construction of a state-of-the-art research and education turfgrass facility named "The Envirotron." He also was author or co-author of the books Best Management Practices for Florida Golf Courses, Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses, and Florida Lawn Handbook. In 1996, he moved to Clemson University, where he is currently involved in research, extension, and teaching activities. He has published over 500 articles dealing with all phases of turfgrass management and has given over 700 presentations. He is currently co-author of the books Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds, Southern Lawns, Managing Bermudagrass Turf, and Fundamentals of Turfgrass and Agricultural Chemistry. He is also a co-author for the GCSAA seminars Weed Control and Advanced Weed Management, and is active in a number of professional societies.

I. BEST TURFGRASSES FOR GOLF COURSES.

 1. Turfgrasses.
 2. Turfgrass Physiology and Environmental Stress.
II. BEST SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

 3. Soil Chemical Properties.
 4. Soil Mineral Properties and Drainage.
 5. Soil Oxygen and Temperature Properties.
 6. Soil Organisms.
III. BEST GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION AND ESTABLISHMENT PRACTICES.

 7. Golf Course Construction and Renovation.
 8. Putting Green Construction.
 9. Turfgrass Establishment and “Grow-In.
IV. BEST TURFGRASS FERTILIZATION PRACTICES.

10. Plant Nutrition and Turf Fertilizers.
11. Developing Turf Fertilizer Programs.
12. Fertilizer Calculations.
V. BEST GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION PRACTICES.

13. Water Management in Turf.
14. Irrigation Water Quality.
15. Effluent Wastewater Use on Turf.
VI. BEST TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

16. Cultural Practices for Golf Courses.
17.Management Practices Affecting Putting Speed.
18. Overseeding.
19. Managing Bentgrass/Poa annua Golf Greens.
20. Managing Bermudagrass Golf Greens.
VII. BEST PEST MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL PRACTICES.

21. Integrated Pest Management.
22. Turfgrass Diseases.
23. Turfgrass Insects.
24. Turfgrass Nematodes.
25. Turfgrass Weeds.
26. Turfgrass Plant Growth Regulators.
VIII. BEST PESTICIDE AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING PRACTICES.

27. Effective, Safe, and Legal Use of Pesticides.
28. Best Golf Course Environmental Protection Strategies.
29. Sprayer and Spreader Calibration.
30. Budgets and Personnel Management.
Appendix A: Stoke's equation for Calculating the Velocity of Falling Particles and Darcy's Equation for Calculating Hydraulic Conductivity.
Appendix B: Calculating Soil Porosity.
Appendix C: Determining Surface Area.
Appendix D: Calibration Formulas and Metric Conversion Tables.
References and Additional Reading.
Glossary.
Index.