ABSTRACT
A method of classifying the quality of golf greens on the basis of a small number of objective measurements was tested. Test data were obtained from a field trial in which the effects of differing rates of irrigation, nitrogen and phosphate fertiliser on three different types of golf green construction were examined. The objective tests used for the classification were measurements of the botanical composition and ground cover, shoot density, turfgrass colour and soil pH, phosphate, potassium and calcium content. Classification of the surfaces was achieved using the multivariate analysis techniques of principal components analysis and complete linkage cluster analysis. Ten classes of greens were identified and a key was prepared which enabled similar surfaces to be placed in a class. The classes of greens were described in terms of their average visual merit, green “speed”, golf ball behaviour after impact and the construction, irrigation and fertiliser treatments which they had received.
