Maximising Winter Playability at Chester-Le-Street Golf Club

When winter bites, it bites hard in the North East. At Chester-Le-Street Golf Club, Course Manager Jack Hetherington knows the battle all too well: persistent rain, cold soils, and long hours of leaf wetness that stretch from autumn into early spring.

Between October and March, maintaining playable surfaces becomes a test of strategy, not just stamina.

Keeping Water Moving Is Vital

“Improving the movement of water through the surface is essential in maximising the window in which we can operate to produce the best surfaces,” Jack explains.

With a course built on mixed construction types, including clay push-ups with drains, keeping water moving is vital.

“It’s crucial that we get water down into the drains as quickly as possible to maintain turf health and ensure playability.

“We’d also had issues with access points and bottlenecks becoming unsafe for play after rain. Applying FlowSmart in these areas has kept the course open.”

Jack applies H2Pro FlowSmart monthly in a tank-mix with Effect Iron as part of his ITM programme.

Staying On Top Of Disease Management

“This combination aids playability and helps us stay on top of disease management,” he says.

The results soon spoke for themselves: firmer-feeling clay push-ups, faster infiltration, and more manageable disease pressure through the autumn and winter.

“The moment it really stood out was after a rain event — the next day you could walk onto the green, no dew, felt firmer underfoot, and performing better than the day before.

“It transformed how the greens performed throughout the autumn/winter period.”

Tank-mixing with iron has brought additional gains too, with improved turf colour, vigour, and resilience through high-pressure disease periods.

An Easy Decision

And with ICL’s support behind the product, Jack says the decision was straightforward.

“ICL is synonymous with data-driven products, and the support wrapped around them makes for an easy decision.”

For Jack, FlowSmart has become a reliable part of his programme.

“What we apply in our spray windows is increasingly important, which is why I always recommend products supported by data and research.

“FlowSmart is one of the many ICL have to offer.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

"I bought a no name petrol blower on eBay for £30 as temporary fix. I expected it to last 6 months but 2 years later it's still going strong. It's a copy of the Stihl Bg 56. You don't always get what you pay for. "

"Hat's off to you for persevering with them Graham. Surely one of the best aspects of British life is blokes patiently and skillfully fixing things in the shed. Sounds a nightmare product to me, whether it was a blower or something else, I wouldn't…"

Agrovista Amenity has strengthened its team with the appointment of Ben Simpson, who joins as Amenity Specialist supporting the Landscape and IVM division.Ben brings a varied career background and a refreshed enthusiasm for the amenity…