Getting started with clipping volume

If you want to have control of green speed, you need to have the growth rate under control. When fewer clippings are being removed from the greens at each mow, the green speed measured by the stimpmeter will be faster.¹

We don’t really care what the clipping volume is. We do care what the green speed is. Because the clipping volume affects what the green speed can be, we do care about the clipping volume in that sense. So if you are just getting started with measurement of clipping volume, how do you do something with the numbers?

Step 1

Start by measuring clipping volume and green speed.

Step 2

Plot (or sort in a spreadsheet) the clipping volume and the green speed. You’ll find a relationship something like this chart.

When there are more clippings harvested, there is a slower green speed.

Step 3

Decide what green speed range you wish to evaluate. Draw a horizontal line at the bottom of that range. Draw another line at the top of that range. For example, in the chart below, I’ve drawn lines at the 9.5 to 10.5 foot range, and also at the 10.5 to 11.5 foot range. Then draw vertical lines at the point with the lowest clipping volume and at the highest clipping volume within that range. Now you have a box that surrounds the clipping volume values that produce (or allow) the green speeds you want at your facility.

In the example above, the average clipping volume for green speed in the 9.5 to 10.5 foot range is 8.4.

Step 4

Make adjustments to N inputs and PGR applications and mowing to keep the average clipping volume close to the center of the range you have identified.

Step 5

Use the Turf GvX to adjust this based on recent site temperatures and to adjust this based on seasons.