At Longcliffe Golf Club in Leicestershire, Course Manager Mike Bunney has transformed the way he manages turf since introducing Turf Tracker into his programme.
For a traditional heathland course set on the edge of Charnwood Forest, where precision is everything, the platform has quickly become an essential part of day-to-day decision making.
Turf Tracker is a digital agronomy and management tool that uses hyper-local weather data to help turf professionals make informed decisions.
From spray and disease forecasting to clip volume tracking and machinery checks, it brings everything into one simple, paper-free system.
“I tried it and I’ve really taken to it, it’s been an absolute game changer for me,” says Mike, who has been at Longcliffe for around 20 years and in charge for the last eight.
Currently leading a team of seven, Mike is also overseeing major course improvements, including a new irrigation system and a large-scale tree project aimed at restoring Longcliffe’s heathland character.
Mike first introduced Turf Tracker through its digital pre-start checks, helping to improve organisation and accountability across the team.
“That was a big part of it, getting the team engaged in checking the machinery and servicing. It’s so easy to use,” he explains. “I can see who’s done their checks in the morning as it tells you all individually.”
The move away from paper records has also been a big win.
“We’ve no longer got files in filing cabinets in the workshop. Now it’s all online, which is so much more efficient.”
Using Turf Tracker’s N Tracker feature has allowed Mike to take the guesswork out of fertiliser applications.
“Instead of just guessing every year and spraying whenever I think I need to, I now keep a full log. I’m on top of when I spray and how much I spray,” he says. “It’s saved us quite a lot of money.”
Those savings are now being reinvested elsewhere on the course.
“What I’ve saved on fertilisers, I can put into seed, wetting agents and other important things.”
More recently, Mike has started using the clip volume feature to better understand turf growth and fine-tune maintenance.
“The difference last year was huge,” he says. “Instead of feeding without knowing if it was needed, I can now really manage my clip volume.”
By measuring clippings on selected greens, the team can make more accurate decisions, leading to noticeable improvements in performance.
“It’s made a big difference to our green speeds, which has always been a bit of a sore subject here. The improvement last year was massive.”
With weather-based forecasting and disease prediction tools, Turf Tracker is helping Mike plan with greater confidence.
“You can really forecast what’s going to happen with growth. The Microdochium forecast is also a really good feature as it helps you stay ahead.”
For Mike, the benefits are clear, and he is already encouraging others to take a look.
“I would definitely recommend Turf Tracker. I already am to other course managers as it’s transformed things for us.”
For more information, visit www.turftracker.net
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