Rig and furrow fairways bring as much of a challenge to the greenkeeping team as they do the players.
With raised ridges and sunken furrows, it takes a lightweight, manoeuvrable mower to deliver the best results and for Forfar Golf Club in Scotland, Toro is the one to beat.
Remaining from the time when the ground was used to cultivate flax, a mower that will bring the best results on rig and furrow fairways is one that’s well-balanced, has a low centre of gravity, turf-friendly tyres, and the ability to maintain cutting consistency in tough conditions.
For Keith Law, Head Greenkeeper at Forfar Golf Club, the Toro Reelmaster 3575-D ticks all the boxes.
“It can certainly be a challenge maintaining rig and furrow fairways if you don’t have the right equipment,” says Keith. “You’ve got to be careful not to run the risk of the grass looking burnt out on the ridges and green in the furrows if the mowers can’t maintain the height of cut or leaves clippings behind.
“The Toro Reelmaster set up with a rear roller brush on the back and groomer on the front, hugs the ground, picks up the grass in the dips and avoids scalping on the top. The brush also disperses the clippings perfectly and the groomer lifts the grass before cutting. It’s perfect on undulations – and on our bunkers, where it doesn’t leave a mark – and as the lightest fairway mower out there it minimises soil compression.”
The purchase of the Reelmaster 3575-D is the start of the club replacing much of its fleet says Keith: “We’re a totally Toro club and it’s testament to the brand that we’re still running and getting great results from machines that are well in their double digits. But now’s the time to focus on the new technology the brand offers.
“We’re a wooded heathland club and as such have had a tough time since Storm Arwen. We’ve lost around 1500 trees, so time outside of general course maintenance has been spent dealing with that.
“It’s going to be great for everyone to focus on new machinery. Our members have already noticed and commented on the tighter finish on the fairways since we got the Reelmaster, it’s brought a links feel to our heathland course, which is appreciated, so it’s going to be exciting to hear the feedback from more new machines.”
The new machine was delivered by distributor Reesink Scotland, the Scottish service branch of Reesink Turfcare based in Livingston, which serves some of the UK’s most prestigious golf clubs, major sporting venues, councils, local authorities and landscapers.
