First appearing on our golf courses more than a decade ago, the sight of a grass mower quietly and independently going about its business was initially a real eye-opener. Nowadays, you see them regularly and barely blink an eye. As the number of mowers increases and their capabilities improve, so the impact on the way courses are presented is being seen. But what is really going on behind the scenes and is their increased presence good or bad for the game?
To help find some of the answers, we spoke to Andrew Lees at Husqvarna, a major manufacturer of professional robotic mowers. Somewhere in the region of 150 golf clubs in the UK and Ireland are currently using the company’s mowers as part of their course maintenance operations. Here, he talks through why the sight of robot mowers is increasingly common and how they help greenkeepers improve the conditions golfers are enjoying.
Why are so many clubs investing in robotic mowers?
The first answer is that robotic mowers change how and when turf maintenance can take place. Because they operate autonomously, they are not limited by staffing hours or daylight, and this allows courses to mow overnight or between periods of play. This in turn reduces early-morning pressure on greenkeeping teams and allows surfaces to be prepared without disrupting golfers.
The ability of such machines to cut little and often is a key distinction. Instead of removing large volumes of grass in a single pass, robotic mowers maintain turf incrementally. This supports healthier growth and encourages denser swards, leading to more consistent playing conditions.
Precision is another real advantage. GPS-guided systems allow robotic mowers to maintain fairway edges, semi-rough transitions and architectural lines to within a few centimetres. Over the course of a season, this helps preserve the original design of a course far more consistently than manual mowing, where small variations can gradually but significantly alter playing areas.
The machines are also significantly lighter than traditional ride-on equipment, enabling operation in wetter conditions and potentially reducing compaction. This allows courses to mow earlier in the season and later into the year, extending playable windows without damaging the turf.
Robot mowers free up greenkeepers for more creative and interesting work
(Image credit: Husqvarna)
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