In preparation for the 2024 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club, a fleet of autonomous robot mowers has been cutting the rough on the golf course. Dan Meersman, the director of grounds and facilities at the club, explains how the club has integrated these robots into their maintenance staff and the roles they play in preparing for the event.
The idea of using robot mowers in the golf industry has been around for some time, but advancements in technology have made them more efficient and precise. Philly Cricket acquired two robot mowers in 2020, after Meersman saw one in action and was impressed by its capabilities. The club now has a fleet of 30 robot mowers, all manufactured by Husqvarna, cutting the rough on their three courses.
Leading up to the championship, the rough on the Wissahickon course was mown by 17 robot mowers, with some final touches done by traditional mowers. The robots work day and night, cutting the rough to a height of two-and-a-half inches. Meersman expects to expand the use of robot mowing to cover the entire rough on the Wissahickon course by the end of the season.
The robot mowers at Philly Cricket work in shifts, mowing for three hours and then charging for an hour. The smaller models they use are capable of mowing 2.5 acres per hour. While the robots can cut fairways, Meersman limits them to the rough and avoids using them on steep slopes, bunker edges, or greens. He believes fully autonomous mowing on greens is still years away due to technology limitations.
While the cost of robot mowers can vary, Meersman is more focused on the savings and opportunities they provide. By using autonomous mowers, he and his staff of 70 can focus on other course improvements, resulting in healthy competition among clubs to maintain top-quality conditions. Rather than replacing jobs, robot mowers allow for more efficient maintenance practices and open up new possibilities for course enhancements.
