Preserving the quality of the greens: a rational and sustainable approach at Golf Sainte Baume

In the heart of Provence, nestled between wooded hills and unspoiled landscapes, Golf Sainte Baume is much more than just an exceptional course: it is a living ecosystem, shaped with care, passion, and respect for nature. Each season, our groundskeeping team adjusts its approach to meet the real needs of the turf, preserve biodiversity, and ensure optimal playing conditions.

In October 2025, we made the strategic decision not to carry out traditional aeration of the greens, favoring a gentler approach that respects the natural balance of the soil.

Traditionally, fall is a time when many golf courses perform mechanical aeration of their greens. This operation involves drilling small holes in the surface to improve soil oxygenation, promote root development, and optimize water penetration.

However, each course is unique, and sensible maintenance is based above all on careful observation of its actual condition.

This year, several factors led us to make a different choice:

• Exceptional green quality: thanks to the numerous technical interventions already carried out in 2025—decompaction, sanding, careful mowing, precise mechanical work—the greens are currently in optimal condition. Their density, elasticity, and vigorous root system guarantee an excellent playing surface without additional intervention.
• Unfavorable weather conditions: the early arrival of cooler temperatures and sudden temperature changes can slow down the natural regeneration of the turf after aeration. In this context, such an operation could weaken the roots or slow down regrowth, compromising the long-term quality of the turf.
• A sustainable and respectful approach: by limiting mechanical interventions to what is strictly necessary, we reduce the impact on soil microfauna, preserve natural resources, and contribute to the sustainability of the course’s ecosystem.

If complete aeration is not planned, we have nevertheless provided for a specific and beneficial intervention: vertical scarification to a depth of 10 cm.

This lighter, more targeted technique has several key objectives:

• Improving water infiltration: by creating fine openings in the soil, scarification facilitates the penetration of moisture to the roots. This optimizes natural irrigation and limits the need for artificial watering, in line with our environmental commitment.
• De-thatching the turf: over time, a layer of thatch (a mixture of old grass blades, dead roots, and organic matter) forms on the surface of the greens. If this thatch becomes too thick, it prevents air, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots effectively. Scarification removes some of this thatch, promoting healthier turf.
• Promoting healthy, sustainable regrowth: this gentle procedure encourages deep rooting and greater resistance to climatic variations, ensuring stronger, more uniform, and more durable greens.

For several years now, Golf Sainte Baume has been committed to a comprehensive approach to ecological and responsible management. Our vision is based on three fundamental principles:

1. Observe before acting: every maintenance decision is made after a careful analysis of soil conditions, weather conditions, and turf health.
2. Prioritize quality over quantity: we only intervene when necessary to avoid unnecessary stress on the plants and limit our environmental footprint.
3. Preserve the ecosystem: by reducing mechanical interventions, we protect microfauna, promote biodiversity, and contribute to the natural balance of the site.

This philosophy allows us to combine sporting performance, luxurious landscaping, and respect for the environment, offering our players a unique experience on an exceptional course.

By rethinking our maintenance practices, we are pursuing a simple goal: to make Golf Sainte Baume a model of environmental and sporting excellence.

Our carefully maintained greens will continue to offer consistently fast and enjoyable playing surfaces, while respecting natural cycles and ecological balance.

Every action and every technical decision is part of an overall approach: that of sustainable golf, where nature, sport, and horticultural expertise combine to create an exceptional environment.

In October 2025, nature sets the pace… and we listen. Through careful observation, thoughtful choices, and sensible practices, Golf Sainte Baume continues its commitment to a greener, more sustainable future that is always more enjoyable to play.