Turf Twitter Then and Now
Good and Bad
Disclaimer: The things I am critical of in this writing, I’m also guilty of. Admitting mistakes is a big part of learning. I have made mistakes in my use of Twitter and I will talk about them below.
Twitter is the best thing that ever happened to the turfgrass industry. Twitter has changed the turfgrass industry for the worse. As diametrically opposed as those two statements are, I believe both are true. I’ve been part of Turf Twitter1 since the early days, so I feel uniquely able to comment on why I believe both statements are true.
Back then, as GCS at Northland Country Club, my handle was nccturf and these were my first tweets. The beginning was unremarkable.
In the beginning, it was all quick hitters on golf course conditions, links to interesting articles and to my frequent blog posts. Even photo posting was limited.
The initial audience wasn’t big, a few members, golfers and as time went on, fellow superintendents. Conversations were initially minimal also. An advanced search of my first two months on Twitter, came up with only four tweets in which I had replied to someone. One reply was to my wife.
My main focus in 2009 was writing on my blog; something that continued more or less until I left Northland for Hazeltine. As Turf Twitter grew, the conversations and information gathering grew with it. Some of my best friends in the industry were people I first met through Twitter. In those early days, Twitter was a wonderful way of spreading the news of what we were doing on the course and sharing in real time with colleagues around the world. It was new and it was exciting to have such a platform.
As with anything good word spread and Turf Twitter grew, but inevitably so did the unintended consequences. Arguments, insults, trolling and one infamous case of an identity completely fabricated, all wove their way into Turf Twitter. The sharing, camaraderie, and all the good was still there, but it became a bit harder to see.
The 5 best things about Turf Twitter
Friendships
Idea sharing
Keeping golfers informed
Ask a question>immediate answers
Constant learning at your fingertips.
The 5 6 worst things about Turf Twitter
Lack of real writing: blogs went away
Insults of each other and criticism of golfers: taking shots at colleagues and complaining about golfers. I was certainly guilty of being critical of colleagues. There were times, when I just couldn’t keep my comments to myself. I still run across Twitter accounts that blocked me back in those days. As far as being critical of golfers; don’t do it, ever! I learned first hand, they don’t like it.
Over-sharing: slo-mo aerification anyone? There is such a thing as too much information. Sometimes it even seems like people do things to the golf course, just so they can post it on Twitter. There was a time in my career when I know the thought went through my head: “this is going to be fun to share on Twitter.”
Copying unnecessary practices: i.e. backtrack verti-cutting on cool-season turf. Not everything you see on Twitter is good for your course.
In-person education became easier to skip. I don’t have an answer here, but I know I don’t go to education events anymore because of the resources I have a my fingertips every day.
Time wasting: we’ve all wasted plenty of time on Twitter. My suggestion; get the app off your phone.
The number 1 unintended consequence of Turf Twitter for me, was that I stopped writing the way I wrote at Northland. I’ve often been asked a version of the question: “what is the most important thing a young person can do to get ahead in this industry?” My answer: learn to write. I don’t think there is a bigger differentiator between the good and great of our industry, than the ability to write well. I’d have a tough time coming up with a person who’s impressive writing skills don’t translate into impressive skills as a greenkeeper. Twitter has allowed our industry to communicate in high volume, without the need to develop writing skills. I think that is a bit sad.
I have both benefited from, and fallen victim to each of the 11 items on my lists above. I’ve enjoyed Twitter over the years, both turf and otherwise. I’ve met many friends and had many conversations. Most of which were great, some of which in hindsight, I should’ve stayed out of. I’ve amassed a nice following (10,300 as of this writing), most of which are probably real and some of those probably find my content interesting. As I’ve ventured back to consistent writing, the Twitter following has been helpful in generating readers.
Alas, my time on Twitter is probably winding down. I long ago removed the app from my phone, I post infrequently, I rarely scroll and of late have found I often go many days at a time without visiting the site. In time, I see this Substack as my way of informing and communicating with golfers and colleagues. I don’t know when the end will come. For now, Twitter is serving as a good vehicle for promoting this newsletter, but all good things must come to an end and my time on Twitter eventually will as well.
I’m not trying to tell anyone they should give up Twitter. But I do think we can all evaluate our use; improve on the good, and eliminate the bad. As professional turf managers, I know that is a skill we possess.
Turf Twitter is used colloquially to represent those practitioners, educators and affiliated support professionals of the turf management industry, who are active on Twitter.
I couldn’t have said it any better and I’m also guilty as charged - good and bad. Awesome post Chris.
Well put Chris. Happy to have made your acquaintance through Twitter. Though I still long for those early days. It was for a time fun.
Andrew Hardy