PODCAST: An American perspective on greenkeeping from a leading USGA agronomist

The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the governing body for golf in the United States and Mexico. They work alongside The R&A to administer golf, including producing and interpreting the rules of golf.

The USGA conducts the US Open, US Women’s Open and 12 other championships, but for golfers and greenkeepers in the UK, it’s probably through their famous and fabled USGA greens that you’ll probably have come into contact with them.

USGA specification putting greens have been the standard bearer for greens construction for nearly 60 years and you’ll proudly hear of golf clubs advertising that they have USGA-specification greens, while others have to make do with 'push-ups'. If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of putting green construction, I’d urge you to speak to your greenkeeping team to find out more.

In 2018 the specifications for USGA standard construction were revised and we were fortunate that at Continue to Learn 2019, USGA agronomist Elliott Dowling delivered a series of workshops to BIGGA members.

Elliott is the former course superintendent at Cress Creek Country Club and the Ivanoe Club in Illinois and undertakes course visits, educational outreach and research throughout the region on behalf of the USGA.

While in Harrogate, Karl took the opportunity to speak to Elliott about the work of the USGA and whether he thinks the method of greens construction is still as influential today as it was in the past. We also spoke about the contrasts between American and European greenkeeping and it was fantastic to gain an insight into the intricacies of the golf industry from the other side of the Atlantic.

The Green Room Golf Course Podcast is produced by Karl Hansell on behalf of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association.

For questions, comments or concerns, you can get in touch with me by emailing [email protected].

You can also get in touch via social media using @BIGGALtd on Twitter we’ve also got a Facebook page where all the latest notices, news releases and information from BIGGA can be found. We’re also on Instagram using @BIGGA_HQ.

Subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. The more people know about the sports turf industry, the more understanding people will have about the hard work of BIGGA members and other greenkeepers.

If you’d like to get in contact about any other aspect of your BIGGA membership, including member benefits, support, or learning and development, call 01347 833800 or email [email protected]

You can also get more information about BIGGA and how it can improve your career and your course by heading to www.bigga.org.uk