Barefoot during syringing? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   2/10/2014 2:02 PM

   Just have a question,
   
   Does anyone allow their crew to syringe barefoot? I have heard that they can feel the hot spots better.
   
   It's partly in the context that we're adding to our dress/uniform codes for all to wear steel toe or similar footwear for all employees. Anyone know if there is a difference between steel and the now composite?
   
   Thanks!!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   2/10/2014 4:02 PM

   Mel,
   
   I used to syringe barefoot all the time when I was younger. Knowing what is sprayed on greens nowadays changed my mind.
   
   We require closed toe shoes. We don't require steel toe, but many of my employees do wear them. That being said, I don't like anyone wearing steel toe boots cutting cups. Sometimes the tread can be too much.

   
   
   
   
3. Jackson Reiswig

   

   0 posts
   
   2/10/2014 6:02 PM

   I used to love syringing barefoot. I remember a fabulous afternoon of syringing greens at NCC years ago. I finished my 9, pulled off into the shade for a smoke, put my feet up and promptly dropped my cigarette in my lap. My feet were green. That morning we had sprayed a well known pythium preventer with a green pigment that "enhanced" the efficacy. Since I never got any sicker than my typical morning naseau from the nightly imbibing to cope with the life of being an asst supt with bent in atl, I didn't change my methods. Until a few years ago when I tossed a hose in the back of my cart and the coupler landed directly on my toes. All employees must have toe covering footwear at all times now. As for feeling hot spots, how much could I really feel with a layer of fungicide film covering my soles? And, since I felt that I was "feeling" hot spots, apparently I wasn't paying much attention to what was going on, because I didn't even notice the beginning stages of hulking out, so I'm sure my eyes were not focused on the task at hand. This isn't typical of everyday syringing, but I say syringe with your eyes. The grass will tell you when it's time. I do not allow anyone to syringe barefoot. No one wants to lose grass, but if there is anything to gain from it, I'm absolutely convinced that the risks associated with it far outweigh any benefit.

   
   
   
   
4. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   2/10/2014 7:02 PM

   As a kid 50 years ago barefoot was the way to go, never wore shoes from June to September, worked on a golf course and had green that did not wash off till December. Now, no one goes without shoes on my course.
   Kind of too bad, love the feel of the turf myself but safety gets in the way in this new world.
   
   Keith

   
   
   
   
5. Zhang Mengbi

   
   2/10/2014 8:02 PM

   Hi there. Where I work (China) I always allow my crew to hand water greens barefoot for very simple reason, I dont want them to be in a soaking wet shoes for hours thats not good for their health. When the job is done they are required to return to shop immediately and put on their shoes before they head out for any other jobs, no barefoot or slippers are allowed otherwise. I also encourage them to buy steel toe boots like me but this is not a must, nor do I have the authority to offer them as part of uniform (if I do I will). I personally feel safer when have them, my toes might survive if a mower run over my feet.

   
   
   
   
6. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   2/12/2014 6:02 PM

   I stay away from allowing my staff to syringe barefoot. It doesn't seem very professional. We are trying to improve our image as superintendents, letting a staff member work barefoot and potentially cut their foot open on a transport cart would be very hard to explain to an insurance company. Most business people don't work barefoot we do the same as professionals of turf management.
   
   Jeff Sexton
   Evansville C
   Evansville, IN

   
   
   
   
7. Zachary Wignall

   

   1 posts
   
   2/13/2014 12:02 PM

   And I never got athletes foot again

   
   
   
   
8. Smith Kerry L

   
   2/13/2014 3:02 PM

   I have occasionally allowed "aqua-shoes" or deck shoes when employees gripe about wet feet all day but I prefer a "tennis" type shoe. Never bare foot. If you play the wind and pay attention you can keep your feet dry. JMO.

   
   
   
   
9. Joe Wachter

   

   5 posts
   
   2/17/2014 10:02 AM

   I've seen other staffs doing this. Never allow our staff to do it. Safety would be first and only factor in my eyes both in stepping on something or coming in contact with chemicals sprayed on the turf. Not a good idea!

   
   
   
   
10. Andrew Cross

    

    5 posts
    
    2/17/2014 11:02 AM

    I will syringe wearing crocs or sandals. Someone mentioned you can avoid getting wet by playing the wind and paying attention. We've had a few days were we had south winds of 20mph and our only quickcoupler is on north end of green, not a snow balls chance you aren't getting wet on that day. However that hot and dry you don't really mind!

    
    
    
    
11. Robert Crockett

    

    4 posts
    
    2/18/2014 8:02 AM

    Infra red gun and shoes

    
    
    
    
12. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    2/18/2014 11:02 AM

    Robert Crockett said: Infra red gun and shoes

    
    
    That's what I would think would work, we have used the infra red thermometer (for fun) and the one thing I've noticed is just how much temperatures drop with a shower from the hose or even running overheads, in that regards if just cooling the green, why do we even need to find the hot spots?
    
    My opinion of the hot spots might be a little dryer? So the moisture meter comes into play there?
    
    I know OSHA would have a problem and so would our risk managers.....how do you explain to them the need to be barefoot? Especially when there are tools like infrared thermometers and moisture meters?
    
    Also I agree it doesn't look very professional, but hey in the Ozarks.......
    
    Thanks all for your answers.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
13. Michael Sullivan

    

    5 posts
    
    2/24/2014 11:02 AM

    I used to go bare foot as well and I have to say I miss doing it. Have to agree that it isn't really safe and also not very professional.
    However..
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XumPQLTzPWI
    
    Mike Sullivan

    
    
    
    
14. Timothy Strano

    

    0 posts
    
    8/6/2014 8:08 AM

    Syringing barefoot is a bad idea. Along with palms of the hands and groin area the soles of the feet are most likely to absorb pesticides dermally. Why would you expose anyone to that?
    
    The safety aspect has been covered. Feeling hot spots can easily be done by bending over and using your hand.
    The topic isn't even open for discussion at our club.

    
    
    
    
15. James Smith

    

    113 posts
    
    8/30/2014 7:08 AM

    No barefeet on anything! I have enough issues with our putting green next to our swimming pool and the little tricycle motors running around on it and leaving heel prints all over it. At least a shoe spreads out your weight as to not leave imprints. I will allow water shoes or crocks for that but the issue with wet feet is a simple solution of bringing in a second pair of socks and shoes.

    
    
    
    
16. Jon Kindlesparger

    

    0 posts
    
    10/14/2014 8:10 AM

    I allow staff to wear crocs or sandals when hand watering greens. But only for that. Have had discussions with HR people over the years with them wanting us to wear shoes or even steel toed boots when watering. I've always used the argument that when the lifeguards wear them, we will too.

    
    
    
    
17. Curtis Nickerson

    

    0 posts
    
    10/14/2014 12:10 PM

    Jon Kindlesparger said: I allow staff to wear crocs or sandals when hand watering greens. But only for that. Have had discussions with HR people over the years with them wanting us to wear shoes or even steel toed boots when watering. I've always used the argument that when the lifeguards wear them, we will too.

    
    
    We are growing grass, not saving lives...That comparison is a stretch... and when one of your staff gets hurt and sues the club I'm sure that will make a great defense for your lawyers.