The importance of reading the product label

The Greenkeeper, Peter Rae at Haywards Heath Golf Club may well be feeling dreadful at the moment after Gallup total weed killer was applied to the fairway instead of selective herbicide, which was the intention.

Aerial photographs taken from the Daily Mail show extensive damage to fairways and approaches - it could take up to twelve months for the damage to be repaired.

Information on the Haywards Heath Golf Club website says that remedial over seeding work has already begun using a John Deere machine and further work, including hydro seeding is scheduled for later summer.

Ron Collie, Chairman of Greens at Haywards Heath has posted an information page - Accidental Damage to the Course - on the website where he acknowledges that there has been an unfortunate accident.

We know that accidents happen and accidents will continue to happen but they can be avoided if everyone follows a few simple but strict rules.

* If you are responsible overall for the golf course or any other recreational turf then make sure you agree with your operative that the chemical that has been selected is indeed the one you wish to apply.

* Always, always read the product label

* Never transfer a chemical from it's original container to a container that is not the same (this can cause obvious problems with applying the wrong material)

* Treat one problem at a time and never transport two materials side by side - this way mix ups can be avoided.