PHOTO A: These trails of bare ground on these fairways and roughs were caused by sheep. About 5 percent of New Zealand’s 400 golf courses have sheep grazing across the courses. Most of these courses are located in small, rural communities in which sheep farming is their source of income. These courses rely on the income from the meat and wool to offset golf course expenses.

The trails of bare ground are caused by the sheep’s uncanny
ability to use the same path over and over, causing the areas to be void of turf. The golf greens usually are roped off to prevent damage and also to help avoid other calling cards the sheep leave behind. One side benefit, however, is that the sheep do help keep the grass short, at about 1 inch.

Photo submitted by Douglas Linde, Ph.D., professor of agronomy at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pa., and a 17-year member of GCSAA.