A way to improve the golf course rating in Bangladesh

Published : Wednesday, 23 July, 2025 at 2:21 PM

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Zahangeer Alam

The Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF) officially recognizes sixteen golf courses across the country. These include: Army Golf Club, Arunima Resort Golf Club, Bogra Golf Club, Bangladesh Ordnance Factory Golf Course, Chengi Golf and Country Club, Golf & Country Club of Cox’s Bazar, Ghatail Golf Club, Jolshiri Golf Club, Jessore Golf & Country Club, Kurmitola Golf Club (KGC), Mainamati Golf & Country Club (MGCC), Bhatiary Golf & Country Club (BGCC), Pyra Golf & Country Club, Rangpur Golf & Country Club, Shaheen Golf & Country Club, and Savar Golf Club (SGC). Additionally, the newly established Air Force Golf Link at Kurmitola has further expanded the country’s golfing facilities. Among these courses, four feature 18 holes, with Kurmitola Golf Club and Bhatiary Golf & Country Club particularly noted for their excellent maintenance and high-quality playing conditions.

There are about 38,864 golf courses around the world. However, most golf courses are located in just a few countries. The top 10 countries have 80% of all golf courses. The United States has the most, with over 16,000 courses. The biggest and most famous golf tournaments are called the “majors.” These include The Masters, The Open Championship (also known as the British Open), the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship. Other important events are the Players Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Tour Championship. Bangladesh also hosts many golf tournaments every year. These include both professional and amateur competitions. One important event is the Asian Tour, which is often held at the Kurmitola Golf Club (KGC) in Dhaka.

The success of an international golf tournament largely depends on the golf course rating. This rating considers essential elements like water features, bunkers, grass height, tee leveling, green speed, slope gradients on the greens, fairway quality, vegetation, and the overall course layout. It is mainly influenced by the course’s design integrity and maintenance consistency. Proper care of the greens, tees, fairways, roughs, bunkers, and surrounding landscape is vital. With diligent maintenance, a course rating can increase by over 80%, meeting the standard required for hosting national or international tournaments. Therefore, maintaining high-quality ground conditions is key to fulfilling the rigorous standards of competitive golf.

Turf health plays a crucial role in maintaining a high-quality course rating. To keep the turf vigorous, regular maintenance should address controlling diseases, pests, soil moisture, air circulation, pH balance, organic matter, soil nutrients, and consistent mowing. However, turfgrass is susceptible to various fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases, often triggered by excess moisture, heavy foot traffic, poor airflow, and contaminated soil or water. Preventing and managing these problems requires following recommended treatments such as fungicides and insecticides, along with proper cultural practices. Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies can also effectively control pests and diseases while minimizing chemical use. When these practices are applied, the turf remains healthy and vigorous, ultimately boosting the course rating to meet international standards.

Insect infestations are a common challenge in turfgrass management, often causing significant damage. White grubs feed on grass roots, weakening the turf’s foundation. Billbugs damage stems and roots, while armyworm caterpillars can rapidly defoliate turfgrass. Fire ants are a frequent issue on golf courses, and pathogenic nematodes can severely harm turf roots. Although earthworms are highly visible, they are generally beneficial and contribute positively to soil health. Effective insect control requires a combination of preventive strategies and treatments. Accurate pest identification and an understanding of their life cycles are critical for selecting the most appropriate control measures. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which integrates cultural practices, biological controls, and judicious use of chemical treatments, is widely regarded as the most sustainable and effective approach. Additional measures such as maintaining soil moisture between 15% and 25%, installing subsoil drainage systems, and removing thatch also reduce insect problems. Botanical pesticides, derived from plants, offer an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals. Examples like neem extract, pyrethrin, and rotenone effectively control various pests while minimizing harm to beneficial organisms and the environment. Incorporating these natural products into an IPM program promotes healthier turf and keeps golf courses playable year-round.

Soil moisture is essential for turf health and playability on a golf course. For sand-based greens, the optimal soil moisture typically ranges from 15% to 25% volumetric water content (VWC). Maintaining moisture within this range promotes healthy turf growth and ensures firm, stable playing surfaces. However, soil moisture can vary widely across the course—even within the same fairway—due to factors such as soil type, topography, and irrigation uniformity. Equally important is soil aeration, which supplies the air necessary for robust root development and overall turf quality. Compacted soil restricts the movement of air, water, and nutrients, hindering root growth and weakening the turf. Regular aeration helps relieve compaction, improve air and water infiltration, and encourage deeper root systems. On greens, solid tine aeration is typically performed four to five times per year, while hollow tine aeration is usually conducted at least once annually.

Soil pH and nutrient availability are critical for maintaining healthy turfgrass on golf courses. Most turfgrasses thrive in slightly acidic soils, with an ideal pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. This range optimizes nutrient uptake, supporting strong root development, disease resistance, and overall turf vigor. Healthy turf requires a balanced supply of essential nutrients—primarily nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—along with important micronutrients. Nitrogen is key for promoting leaf growth and maintaining vibrant color, but it must be carefully managed due to its high solubility and potential for leaching. Phosphorus supports root development and overall plant health, while potassium enhances turf strength and resilience to environmental stress. Micronutrients such as calcium and magnesium also play vital roles in soil structure and nutrient absorption, further supporting turf health. To maintain proper nutrient levels, slow-release fertilizers are often used on golf course turf. These products deliver nutrients gradually over several weeks or months, ensuring a steady supply while reducing the need for frequent applications. Compared to quick-release fertilizers, they help minimize the risk of nutrient runoff and environmental impact, making them a sustainable choice for long-term turf management.

Mowing on a golf course requires specialized equipment, knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail to maintain ideal playing conditions. Each area of the course—such as greens, tees, fairways, and roughs—demands specific mowing heights and schedules based on its role in the game and desired playability. Mowing practices are carefully managed to maintain turf health, performance, and aesthetics. Typically, mowing heights are maintained at approximately 10 mm for tees, 14 mm for fairways, 25 mm for the second cut of the fairway, 35 mm for roughs, 3 to 5 mm for greens, and 8 mm for aprons. Adhering to these precise standards ensures consistent surface quality and enhances both the playability and visual appeal of the golf course.

A well-designed subsoil drainage system is also essential for maintaining healthy turf, optimal root development, and consistent playing conditions on a golf course. These systems typically include layers of sand, gravel, or a combination of both, designed to promote rapid water movement away from the surface. Often built according to USGA (United States Golf Association) specifications, such systems help prevent waterlogging, enhance drainage, and support strong root growth. Effective bunker management is another key aspect of course maintenance. It involves selecting the appropriate sand, maintaining consistent raking and cleaning practices, controlling moisture and sand depth, and protecting bunker edges through preventive measures. Together, these efforts ensure that bunkers remain both playable and visually appealing. Landscaping also plays a vital role in enhancing the aesthetic value and functionality of a golf course. Thoughtful landscape design contributes to the course’s visual appeal, sustainability, ease of maintenance, and overall golfer experience. In addition, sand topdressing is a critical turf management practice, especially on greens. This involves applying a thin layer of sand to the turf surface, which helps improve drainage, reduce thatch buildup, and create a smoother, firmer playing surface. Regular topdressing is essential for sustaining healthy, high-quality turf and maintaining excellent playability throughout the year.

It can be concluded that healthy turf, consistent bunker conditions, and well-planned landscaping significantly contribute to enhancing a golf course’s rating. In this regard, key practices such as effective disease and pest control, balanced soil nutrients, proper pH and moisture management, regular mowing, installation of a subsoil drainage system, and routine sand topdressing play a vital role in maintaining turf health. Collectively, these measures can improve the course rating by over 80%, helping to elevate the facility to the standards required for hosting international-level golf tournaments in Bangladesh.

The writer is a professor of Gazipur Agricultural University & Golfer.