Anyone who steps onto a perfect green knows it’s no accident. That uniformly smooth surface where the ball rolls cleanly, and every putt feels fair is the result of painstaking, almost artisanal work that begins long before the day’s first player places a ball. At Club de Golf Costa Brava, members and visitors enjoy greens that are true carpets of precision. Behind them is a maintenance team that blends science, tradition, and a deep passion for golf.
Why the green is everything
Close to 40% of shots in a round are played on or around the green. You can live with a patchy fairway or a demanding bunker, but never a neglected green. The smoothness of the ball’s roll is the ultimate benchmark, and every detail matters: mowing, moisture, firmness, colour, and even the direction of the grass growth.
From nineteenth-century St Andrews to today’s most modern clubs, superintendents have known that a course’s reputation is judged by its greens. It’s no coincidence that this was the era that saw the rise of the greenkeeper, a professional devoted exclusively to tending these surfaces, soon indispensable at any club.
At Club de Golf Costa Brava, the club’s social and sporting tradition is reflected in the demand to keep every green as a symbol of hospitality and excellence. It’s the first impression for any visitor and, often, the lasting memory after the round.
The daily routine: precision to the millimetre
The day begins before dawn. First up is mowing, always with perfectly sharpened blades, because a poor cut bruises the turf and slows the surface. The height of cut ranges from 3 to 4 mm, adjusted with near-surgical accuracy. To prevent the grass from leaning in a single direction, the mowing pattern changes each day. This is followed by rolling, which gently firms the turf and improves the consistency of the roll.
It isn’t just about cutting; it’s about observing. Each operative inspects the green for twigs, stones, or imperfections that could spoil the cut or affect play. Ball marks and freshly changed hole plugs are also checked. Every detail counts, because the slightest irregularity can change the fate of a putt.
Green speed is measured with the Stimpmeter, invented in 1935 by Edward Stimpson. Today, elite tournaments reach 12 to 13 feet (ca. 4 metres), practically double what’s typical at a social club, yet always with the turf’s health in mind. At Club de Golf Costa Brava we seek balance: quick, firm, consistent greens without compromising plant resilience or the enjoyment of all golfers.
Dew control is also key: removing early moisture reduces fungal disease and speeds up the green. Our team uses both traditional methods, such as dew whipping with fibre rods, and sustainable innovations that cut down on the need for chemical treatments.
Air, water and nutrients: the invisible balance
A green is a living, breathing organism. Regular aeration is therefore essential: small holes allow oxygen to reach the roots and ensure proper drainage. Often unseen by the player, this process keeps the surface firm and healthy throughout the season.
Irrigation management is another of the great secrets. At Club de Golf Costa Brava we apply light, targeted watering, known as syringing, during the hottest hours in summer. This cools the plant without saturating the soil, optimising water use and reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. Fertilisation, meanwhile, is tailored to each green’s needs, prioritising controlled-release products and responsible doses.
Topdressing is another fundamental practice: applying fine layers of sand helps keep the surface firm, control organic matter build-up and improve green speed. Documented for more than a century, this technique remains indispensable for ensuring uniformity and durability.
The silent battle: pests and diseases
A green’s turf is a miniature ecosystem, vulnerable to insects, fungi, and weeds. Prevention is the best strategy: daily inspection of clippings, the smell of freshly cut turf and even the leaf colour all serve as early indicators of potential issues. When treatments are required, they’re applied locally and with environmental responsibility, always avoiding harsh mixes that could damage the plant.
Constant vigilance from the team makes the difference. An unusual smell in the mowing debris, a different leaf texture or a slight discolouration is enough to trigger review protocols. It’s work that members don’t see, but it’s vital for the green’s health.
Experience and science: a craft turned into an art
Greenkeeping has evolved enormously in a century. In the 1920s and 30s, many clubs could barely afford rudimentary mowers and manual watering. The arrival of triplex mowers in the 1960s was a watershed moment, enabling lower, more uniform cuts in less time and transforming the greenkeeper’s craft. Today, the profession combines state-of-the-art machinery with deep agronomic knowledge. Some call it the “magic of greenkeeping,” though the term experts prefer is the art of caring for greens.
Every decision — from height of cut to the use of organic fertilisers or the frequency of aeration — seeks a delicate balance: turf that is firm, fast, and resilient, and at the same time sustainable and respectful of its environment.
Sustainability and tradition: the club’s philosophy
Modern greenkeeping balances environmental care with sporting demands. Just as the pioneers of the twentieth century turned the craft into a science, today we integrate technology, biology and responsible management so every golfer enjoys championship-quality greens without compromising natural resources.
At Club de Golf Costa Brava, sustainability isn’t an add-on; it’s part of who we are. From efficient water use to composting mowing residues, and protecting the biodiversity that surrounds the course, every decision aims to deliver the best playing experience while conserving the Mediterranean landscape around us.
A living legacy
Caring for a green is caring for a story. Every morning, when the maintenance team covers the club’s 27 holes, they aren’t just preparing a playing surface; they’re keeping alive the tradition of a club that has been a social and sporting benchmark on the Costa Brava since 1968.
That legacy is measured in the smile of a golfer who holes the perfect putt, in the satisfaction of a visitor who discovers a course tended down to the smallest detail, and in the certainty that nature and golf can thrive together.
Come and experience it for yourself
Next time you crouch to line up a putt on our greens, think about the dedication and care beneath your feet. Every true roll is the result of a collective effort that begins before sunrise.
See for yourself the difference of playing a course where maintenance becomes an art. Book your tee time at Club de Golf Costa Brava and enjoy the excellence of our greens in the very heart of the Costa Brava.
