Maintaining a golf course, sports field, or any large commercial lawn is no small task. It takes time, tools, and planning.
When the spaces involved cover acres instead of backyards, every small choice affects how smoothly things run. From turf selection to mowing schedules, the goal is always the same: keep the area looking sharp while using the least amount of team effort possible.
Here’s how to make large-scale lawn care more efficient without cutting corners.
Choose Turf That Requires Less Work
The kind of grass used on large properties can save or cost you dozens of labor hours over the year. Fast-growing grasses need more mowing. Thirsty types require frequent watering. Neither is ideal for a commercial setup.
Instead, many grounds teams prefer grasses like zoysia, buffalo grass[A1] , or fine fescue. These types grow slower, handle heat and drought better, and require less day-to-day attention. That means fewer passes with mowers and sprinklers, giving your team more time for other tasks.
Choosing the right turf isn’t just about looks—it’s about workload. When grass is slow-growing and hardy, the entire property is easier to maintain week after week.
Use Professional-Grade Equipment for Large-Scale Jobs
When maintaining large properties like golf courses or sports fields, standard residential tools simply do not cut it. Investing in professional-grade equipment speeds up every task and reduces team fatigue. That means using ride-on mowers, battery-powered blowers, and trimmers built for extended use.
One smart solution gaining ground is commercial robot mowers. These machines operate quietly and can cover large lawns around the clock. They work especially well on wide, flat sections of turf, freeing your crew for tasks that require more attention. For example, while the robot handles routine mowing, your team can focus on trimming, edging, or repairing high-traffic areas.
Choosing the right equipment upfront helps avoid wasted hours and lets your team work more efficiently day after day.
Control Weeds with the Right Ground Covering
Weeds can become a full-time battle on golf courses and sports fields. One smart way to keep them in check is to use mulch in non-play areas like tree beds or landscape borders.
Mulch blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds, which stops them from growing in the first place. It also helps retain moisture, so your irrigation systems don’t have to work as hard.
Wood chips, rubber mulch, and stone mulch all work well depending on the setting. Applying mulch once or twice a year saves countless hours pulling weeds or spraying herbicides. It also helps maintain a clean, professional look across the entire property.
Set Up Smart Irrigation for Reliable Watering
Watering large lawns by hand is simply not an option for commercial teams. Automated irrigation is the clear choice. Systems with smart timers, zone controls, and moisture sensors make sure each section of the property gets exactly the right amount of water.
On golf courses, for example, fairways and roughs have different watering needs. Smart systems can adjust to these differences automatically.
By installing a modern irrigation setup, your team avoids wasted time moving hoses or worrying about dry patches. Consistent, automated watering keeps turf healthy and reduces manual labor.
Landscape Purposefully to Reduce Grass Areas
Not every part of a commercial property needs to be grass. Surrounding areas like clubhouse entrances, walkways, and parking lot edges can be redesigned with hardscaping or native plants instead.
Replacing unnecessary lawn areas with gravel paths, patios, or garden beds means fewer mowing hours and less watering. It also adds visual interest and can reduce long-term costs.
For golf courses, this might mean focusing grass only where play happens. For sports complexes, it could involve using paved areas between fields rather than extra turf.
Keep Trees and Shrubs Well-Trimmed Year-Round
Large lawns don’t just mean grass. Trees, hedges, and shrubs also need regular attention. Overgrown branches can block views, hang over pathways, or create safety issues. Trimming these areas on a set schedule keeps the property looking neat and reduces unexpected cleanup.
For golf courses, it’s especially important to manage tree lines near fairways. Limiting low branches helps maintain clear sightlines for players and prevents damage to golf carts or maintenance vehicles.
Using pole pruners or electric trimmers ensures fast, safe work. By trimming trees and shrubs regularly instead of waiting for them to become a problem, your team saves both time and effort in the long run.
Install Permanent Lawn Edging to Cut Cleanup Time
One task that takes up more time than it should is edging along paths, sidewalks, and flower beds. Without clear boundaries, grass tends to creep into places it shouldn’t, making extra work for maintenance crews.
Installing permanent edging solves this. Whether it’s metal strips, stone blocks, or concrete borders, a solid edge keeps grass contained and makes mowing easier. The mower deck can run right up to the edge without the need for constant trimming.
For commercial properties, neat edges make a big visual difference. They help create that sharp, well-kept look that people expect from golf courses, sports fields, and large public lawns.
Use Ground Covers in Non-Active Zones
Not every part of a large property gets used the same way. Areas under trees, along fences, or near service buildings don’t always need to be grass-covered. Using ground covers in these spots can save both time and money on maintenance.
Plants like creeping juniper or ivy grow thick enough to block weeds but require very little care once established. For shaded zones where grass struggles to grow, ground covers can even improve the look of the area.
Choosing ground covers for non-active zones reduces mowing areas, cuts down on weeding, and keeps things tidy with almost no extra effort from your team.
Caring for golf courses, sports fields, or other large green spaces does not have to be overwhelming. By making smart choices—like selecting low-maintenance turf, installing permanent edging, and using automated irrigation—grounds teams can reduce effort while keeping the property in top shape.
Professional-grade equipment, including commercial-grade mowers, allows crews to focus on tasks that require human skill rather than repetitive work. Regular schedules for mowing and pruning prevent small issues from turning into bigger problems.
In short, managing a large lawn is about building the right systems. With thoughtful planning and the right tools, your team can handle even the largest properties efficiently—keeping everything neat, safe, and ready for use without wasting time or energy.