Maintaining Championship Standards at Pinehurst No. 10
When golfers step onto the greens at Pinehurst No. 10, they expect a surface that is fast, true, and incredibly consistent. While much of the credit goes to the agronomy and the Tom Doak design, there is a silent hero working behind the scenes in the maintenance shop: the perfectly sharpened greens mower, maintained by Zach Williams, CTEM.
Mowing grass at heights as low as 2.5mm leaves absolutely no room for error. At Pinehurst No. 10, achieving that “championship cut” is a daily commitment to mechanical precision and rigorous standards.
Here is how the team ensures their fleet remains sharp and ready for the first tee time.
1. The Science of the “Paper Cut”
A greens mower does not simply “clip” grass; it shears it, much like a pair of high-quality tailor’s scissors. This precise action happens between two main components: the reel (the spinning blades) and the bedknife (the stationary blade at the bottom).
At Pinehurst No. 10, the “paper test” is the gold standard. Before any mower is permitted onto the course, technicians check to see if the reel can cleanly slice a thin strip of paper across the entire width of the bedknife. If the blade tears or folds the paper, the mower stays in the shed. A dull blade doesn’t just look untidy—it bruises the grass plant, leading to brown tips and an increased risk of disease.
2. Achieving Perfection through Spin Grinding
To maintain this level of sharpness, the maintenance team utilises sophisticated grinding equipment. The primary method for ensuring the reel is perfectly true is spin grinding.
Spin grinding involves spinning the reel at high speed against a grinding stone. This process ensures the reel is perfectly cylindrical, meaning every single blade makes contact with the bedknife at the exact same point across its entire length. This uniformity is essential; even a microscopic deviation can result in an uneven finish on the green, affecting the roll of the ball.
3. Setting the Height of Cut (HOC)
Sharpness is only half the battle; the other half is the “bench setting.” Using digital gauges, the technicians at No. 10 set the mowers to a fraction of a millimetre.
Consistency across the entire fleet is vital. If one mower is set slightly lower than another, it creates “triplex rings” or variations in colour and speed across the greens. By ensuring every machine is calibrated to the same minute specification, the team creates the seamless, carpet-like finish that golfers travel from across the globe to experience.
4. The Challenges of the Sandhills
Pinehurst No. 10 is famous for its dramatic undulations and native sandy soil. This environment adds a layer of difficulty for the mechanical team. Because the soil is naturally abrasive, any sand that finds its way onto the greens acts like sandpaper against the mower blades.
To combat this, the team must be vigilant. Frequent checks and regular turns on the spin grinder are necessary to counteract the wear and tear caused by the local environment, ensuring that the abrasive nature of the landscape never compromises the quality of the greens.
The Result: Performance You Can Feel
Why go to such lengths? Because a sharp mower creates a healthier plant. A clean, surgical cut allows the grass to heal faster, utilise water more efficiently, and provide the incredible ball speed Pinehurst is known for.
The next time you hole a long putt on any golf course, take a moment to look at the turf beneath your feet. That perfect surface isn’t just grown—it is engineered, one perfectly ground blade at a time.