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Printable Version January 6, 2009

Grooming

What is it?

This is the light combing of the surface of a fine sports turf area, which does not mark the surface in any way and can be used during most of the year, although care needs to be taken when little grass growth is taking place.

A range of implements can be used as groomers : a cylinder mower having grooved rollers at the front and with powered rotating disc tines fitted behind the roller or a small brush or wire comb fitted behind the front roller.

What does it do?

This operation is usually carried out at the same time as mowing and raises lateral growth and particularly annual meadow grass seed heads, which may be present, for which powered grooming units are especially effective.

An improvement in the overall quality of turf surfaces becomes evident following the regular use of a groomer, as the noticeable benefits are :

1. An improvement in the speed of the playing surface;
2. A reduction in annual meadow grass seed head content;
3. An overall improvement in the presentation of the sward.

Potential problems with groomers

Some problems can occur with the use of turf groomers and these are generally due to the following:

1.	Too deep a setting, which penetrates the turf. A typical correct setting is 1.5 to 3mm below the height of cut achieved on the sward itself, ensuring no penetration of the surface occurs.
2.	Soft turf, due to excess moisture and thatch being present, can result in the grooming unit sinking into the sward, slightly and tearing out some turf.
3.	Being used too often; typically on more than 3 occasions per week. Overuse will result in the turf becoming stressed and weakened.
4.	Continual grooming in the same direction can increase the probability of excessive wear.
5.	Grooming around bends and not in straight lines can produce an untidy appearance or even tearing out of some weakly established grass.If a turf groomer is used correctly, then it is useful component in the turf managers maintenance suite for producing good quality playing surfaces.