WP1: To evaluate the long-term impact of robotic mowing on soil physical properties, measurements were taken on fairways from two golf courses previously involved in the ROBO-GOLF project (2020-23). Soil testing was completed at Sandnes Golf Club (Norway) in 2023, and soil testing was completed at Grenå Golf Club in 2024. Soil compaction was lower in the robotically mown areas than in the traditionally mown areas at both golf courses. However, there were no significant differences in the infiltration rates between the two areas. For a full description of the results, please see the NIBIO report that we published.
WP2: At NIBIO Landvik, Norway the experimental area was seeded in spring 2024. After grow-in, a Ceora 546 EPOS robotic mower was installed. Starting in spring 2025, traditional rotary mowing has been compared with robotic mowing at two mowing heights to investigate turfgrass quality and the encroachment of white clover in roughs. Plugs of fairway-type white clover (Trifolium repens) were planted into the experimental area in mid-August 2024. After one year of data collection, clover coverage appears to be higher in the plots mown at the higher mowing height. At present, the differences between the mowing system are less clear.
WP3: Starting in spring 2025, a CEORA robotic mower has mown plots of two different fairway mowing heights at three nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 60, and 120 kg/ha/yr). Plugs of white clover, daisies (Bellis perennis), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) were planted into subplots to study the combined effect of different mowing heights and fertilizer levels on the encroachment of broadleaved weed species. At present, it appears that a high mowing height and N rate allow for faster weed encroachment.
WP4: Demonstration trials on three golf courses concluded in 2025. In each of these trials Ceora EPOS robotic mowers were compared with traditional mowing on fairways and roughs, focussing on turfgrass quality and coverage of broadleaved weeds. On the fairways, the fertilizer levels were split into two: ‘Common practice’ (100%) and reduced (50%). Preliminary results from some of the courses show a tendency towards higher turfgrass quality with robotic mowing compared to traditional mowing in plots with fertilizer levels at ‘Common practice’ (100%). At St. Eurach, the main benefit after one season with robotic mowing was visually apparent in the rough. Compared to the traditional rotary mower, the robotic mower left no clippings and created a clear definition to the edges.
