Thresholds
First of all, what is a threshold? A threshold is the amount something can happen before taking an action. For example, how many turf pests can be located within a 1 meter by 1 meter square before we must spray? Or how dry can the turf get before we decide to water? All questions that having thresholds will help to answer. In this scenario we will base thresholds on turf pests to help relate to everyone. What is the difference between a low and high threshold? A low threshold means that the action takes place more quickly than that of a high threshold.
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| Threshold Graph (Dr. Ken Fry) |
As seen in the picture above, the more pests you encounter in a given area, the more damage that will occur. At some point in time you must choose when is appropriate to control the pest issue, and that is called a threshold. The thresholds are normally very low compared to tees, fairways, and rough, due to the needed consistency of ball roll. This ties into the playability threshold. Players expect to have a firm, uniform turf to putt on every single round, whereas when hitting a ball out of the rough, fairway, or tee, they expect a less consistent ball roll due to the longer turf.
When you show up to the first tee of a golf course, you expect it to be pleasing to the eye. It makes for a much more enjoyable round. That said, aesthetic thresholds are normally low, but do vary depending on the membership and what they do mind, and do not mind seeing. A golf course I've been to, the superintendent told me that the membership do not mind disease on any turf except for the greens. When it comes to greens, they do not tolerate any disease whatsoever. This shocked me a little, but it made total sense. The membership wanted a golf course that was pleasing to their eye, so the thresholds for controlling disease on the greens was very low.
An economic threshold is one where you take an action before reaching the Economic Injury Level (EIL). The EIL is when a problem, such as a pest issue, causes a financial loss. Many golf courses like to save as much money as possible due to their tight operating budgets. Once again the economic threshold is set very low for an understandable reason; Superintendents like to avoid any extra expenses.
So, how do all three of these thresholds work together? Golfers want a golf course that is aesthetically pleasing, has great playability, and doesn't cost the membership a lot of money. One way that all three are similar is in regards to insect and disease damage. Many Superintendents are preventing the problem, rather than waiting for it to happen, then controlling it. A good example would be spraying for disease in the fall. If you live in a destination where there are below freezing temperatures, chances are you have experienced snow old. Snow mold can be detrimental to the golf course. If no spraying is completed, there will most likely be massive amounts of damage, thus costing the golf course many more dollars (Economic Threshold). Snow mold can also affect play due to the characteristic of flattening out the turf and creating an inconsistent ball roll on greens (Playability Threshold). Last but not least, Snow mold looks terrible to the eye. As seen below, it creates circles among your turf, and kills of turf at times which is not the prettiest sight to look at (Aesthetic Threshold).
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| Snow Mold on a golf green. |
In conclusion, thresholds are a key component to all golf courses. They will help to save unpleasing looks, inconsistent turf, and lastly, they will help to save any extra expenses.
References:
Turf Pest Management (TRF 1710) Module by Dr. Ken Fry
http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Article%20Images/Snowmold_Fig06.jpg
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