As we continue with our golf course maintenance DIY series, conducting an audit of your database and central control system is another potential do-it-yourself project. This type of audit ensures that the system is operating properly and at optimal efficiency. A central control system with bad data results in subpar course conditions and is likely to lead to inefficient water use.

This one-page checklist will help as you audit the control system.

First, turn on every station and capture the data associated with each one by recording it on the checklist.

The data points are as follows. Keep in mind you may have to adjust the nomenclature for your brand of central control:

• Name of Rotor
• Wire Path
• Satellite or Channel Number
• Station Number
• Number of Rotors on Each Station
• Type of Rotor
• Nozzle
• Pressure
• Arc

Next, compare the completed sheets with the information in the central control database. Incorrect data can cause issues with uniformity and lead to poor turf conditions. You want to ensure that the data in the central control system matches with the actual precipitation rate of your rotors so you're putting out the desired amount of water to your turf.

You can prevent and solve many problems by making sure your database is accurate and reflects what you have in the field. As is said many times, garbage in, garbage out. Thanks to JP with Rain Bird Golf in sharing this checklist with us!

Review our other DIY article to learn how to do an in-house bunker installation using Capillary Bunker.

Have you conducted your own control system audit? How closely did the data match your actual precipitation rates? Let us know by emailing us here.