BIGGA's Raising the Standards training video is... Vintage!
She's an oldie but a goldie with typical 90's fonts and special effects for educational films, but it's an interesting look back at the basics of mowing. Keep this video bookmarked if you have a computer available for training purposes, it makes a great introduction for seasonal staff.
Video #1 includes these topics:
- Mowing, trimming, cutting, clipping - to develop and maintain a suitable surface on which to play the game of golf
- Correct mowing practice and mowing costs
- Understanding turf grass - growth and carbohydrate distribution
- Effect of mowing height on root depth
- Optimum height of cut to reduce wear damage and minimize thinning
- Height of cut in relation to type and environment of grass
- Routine maintenance, owners manual and checks to avoid faults in motorized mowers.
- Precautions to take to avoid green damage when mowing
- Preparations to prepare for a good start
- Varying mowing height
- The mowing of fairways from one type of course to another
- The ideal features to note when selecting machines to mow fairways
- Flexibility of movement and operation when mowing
- Understanding terms of mowing - the shear point and clip
- Detailed graphic demonstrations of the mowing process
- Appearance and differences between of mowing patterns
- Roles of the bed knife and reel blade in relation to the sheer point
- How to avoid ribbing
- Pros and Cons and options for disposing of grass cuttings
Video #3 includes these topics:
- The function and purpose of the semi-rough
- Advantages of using reel mowers for mowing semi-rough
- The best type of units for mowing rough and semi rough
- Considerations when mowing in tight situations around trees and on ground contours
- Precautions to take when mowing with rotary mowers in the rough
- Advantages of clear rough lines for players and nature
- Risk assessments before mowing
- Mowing on banks, and features of mowers
- Ways of enhancing traction and minimising scuffing
- When to use a handmower
- Items to consider moving away from the mowing line
Video #4 includes these topics:
- Safe operation and greater control on mowing machines
- Safety for the employee when mowing
- Approaches and surrounds typical mowing height
- Correct cutting practices on all areas of the course
- Mowing of the putting area and high quality cutting requirements
- Spring, summer and winter general rules for greens mowing height and frequency
- Mowing timing factors - competitions, wear and tear, weather, ground conditions
- Good mowing practice in preparation of mowing the putting surface
- Best practice when mowing the putting green
- Essential features when selecting a ride on greens mower
- What to look for when selecting a handmower
- Hand mower techniques
- Preventing a build up of undesirable organic clippings by removing cuttings
- Pros and cons of using hand mowers and required resources
Video #5 includes these topics:
- Why power washers should not be used
- Avoiding corrosion and checking for defects
- Checking and re adjusting components
- Essential requirements when undertaking safety requirements
- Removing the reels
- Checking the height of cut, on cut settings and making adjustments
- Combining the right knowledge with turf management, good mowing practice and a good machine
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