The work of your golf course’s superintendent goes beyond the physical acts of mowing, watering, spraying, etc. It also encompasses a detailed, daily observation process called “scouting.”
Scouting is one of the most important, and sometimes underappreciated, aspects of successful golf course management. In the framework of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), scouting is not optional, it is foundational. Without scouting, IPM becomes reactive instead of proactive and turf management can turn into guesswork rather than informed decision making.
The Principles Behind Scouting in Turfgrass IPM
Early Detection
Most turf problems like disease, insects, or abiotic stress do not appear overnight. Regular scouting allows managers to identify issues early when they are easier to correct – often reducing potential damage by more aggressive curative intervention.
Understanding Patterns and Phenology
Daily scouting is about observing natural patterns and timing. This includes Growing Degree Days (GDD) and/or phenology. Phenology is the science of observing on-site plant life cycle cues – such as when certain plants are flowering, budding or seeding. Golf course superintendents and staff can then correlate their recorded phenological observations with pest emergence and thus develop accurate timings for intervention. This also helps us understand better when to scout for certain pests.
Targeted Response(s)
IPM relies on treating only when necessary and only where necessary. Scouting provides the confidence to make spot treatments, adjust cultural practices or delay chemical inputs (e.g., fungicides, insecticides) altogether.
Training the Staff – Turning Daily Tasks into Scouting Opportunities
One of the most effective ways to improve scouting is to train the entire maintenance staff to be IPM scouts, especially those involved in daily course setup. Employees responsible for changing hole cups, moving tees and setting up the course are uniquely positioned to observe conditions across every hole, green, fairway and tee. These sta members are walking the course at ground level and will have the ability to notice subtle plant health changes first.
Essential Scouting Tools:
Effective scouting is supported by simple but powerful tools which can include soil probes, 10x hand lenses, soil thermometers and on-site weather stations that reflect real on-site turf conditions. Smartphones are a powerful tool. They can be used to photograph symptoms, document changes over time and even use apps to research symptoms or control options. Phones are also helpful in networking with Dr. Derek Settle of the CDGA Turfgrass Program for assistance.
A Real-World Example: Birds as Scouting Partners
This past summer on July 20, flocks of birds congregating on the fairway of Nos. 14 and 15 caught my attention. It was an early Sunday morning at North Shore Country Club and the behavior of this group of common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) was unusual and led me to closer inspect/scout. The birds were feeding on annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) adults and larvae. Significantly, this was the first time ABW had been observed at the club. Nature itself had flagged this new pest issue which was first reported in Chicago’s north suburbs in 2023.
Conclusion – Scouting as a Holistic Practice
Scouting is about understanding the entire system by carefully recording keen on-site observations every growing season. Over time, those historical calendar-based observations become powerful predictors of pest activity at a specific site which then help guide scouting efforts. Understanding what is being documented in the area in real-time is also very helpful. The CDGA’s weekly Turfgrass Scouting Report is critical in offering in-season information on what and how to look for potential issues. When scouting is prioritized, golf course management becomes more precise, sustainable, and resilient. Scouting will always remain the key in managing consistent high level playing conditions…always observing!
Dan Dinelli is the longtime superintendent at North Shore Country Club and is a member of the CDGA Green Committee. He was inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in 2025.