The difference between a good job and one that is just average won't seem like much to the casual observer as the measure of a thorough job lays in the little details around the edges of a golf course. A rough edge between the green and approach can ruin the look of some genuinely good work if done poorly. A casual observer may recognize the obvious, tees, fairways, and greens, but may not notice all the work the goes into making these features appear natural in their place. There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into tying the edges of critical architectural features into their surroundings. Although deserving of credit, "tie-in" work should go un-noticed, making the golf course appear as if it were always there.
On the current renovation project I am working on in Cromwell, NZ we are tying clean edges from the footprint of the new greens to their surrounding fairway and rough.
By cutting a clean edge we can "key" the run of turf into a slot that comes up to the level of the existing fairway, thus creating a clean edge.
Above is an example of a finished edge. The turf here has only been laid on the ground for less than two weeks. After a thick top dressing, watering, and a roll you can hardly recognize the transition between green and fairway.
