Irrigation expert John Kidson has caught up with seven greenkeepers and asked them all the same two questions: ‘What brand or type of moisture meter do you use and what is the reading you’re aiming for?’

**Content taken from John's irrigation articles within The Greenkeeping Magazine

Here are their answers

Leigh Hyde

Course Manager

Bush Hill Park Golf Club

We use the Fieldscout TDR150. We aim for our greens to be maintained between 20 and 25 percent (volumetric water content (VWC)). Maintaining moisture levels within these ranges helps to ensure the turf’s health, playability and resilience.

Will Fuller

Head Greenkeeper

Surrey National Golf Club

At Surrey National we use a Fieldscout TDR100 and we are looking for between 25 and 30 percent when taking moisture readings. We have found that the greens feel firm enough and are more manageable at this level. This reading gives us some buffer during periods like we experienced during the summer with temperatures of 30-plus degrees. We have multiple open aspect greens and drain very well so running with slightly higher readings means the greens do not become a problem overnight.

Richard Goodard

Course Manager

Aldenham Golf and Country Club

We use the Extrech MO750 and aim for 15 to 20 percent, on average.

Dan Martin

Irrigation Manager

London Golf Club

We use the Pogo moisture meter. It’s dependent on the upcoming weather conditions but we aim to keep sand playing surfaces between 18 and 20 percent. We may exceed this if we are expecting an extended period of drought pressure.

Adam Mitchell

Course Manager

Tehidy Park Golf Club

We use the Delta-T SM150 and aim for 25 percent, on average.

Rick Taylor

First Assistant / Irrigation Tech

Swinley Forest Golf Club

We use the Pogo moisture meter and our target range is 20 to 25 percent.

Mark Allard

Deputy Course Manager

Chipstead Golf Club

We use the Fieldscout TDR soil moisture meter. We aim to get an average reading of 20 percent.

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