Labor costs are up. Qualified operators are harder to find. Member expectations are higher than ever. Robotic mowing for golf courses is no longer experimental — it's deployed on hundreds of courses across Europe and expanding fast in North America. Here's everything you need to know.

How It Works

Commercial robotic mowers use RTK GPS positioning (centimeter-level accuracy) or boundary wire to navigate defined mowing zones. Multiple units operate simultaneously, returning autonomously to charging stations when batteries run low. No operator required — just monitoring.

What Gets Covered

• Fairways: The Husqvarna CEORA handles 5–50 acres per unit. A typical 18-hole course deploys 4–8 units covering 60–120 acres in a continuous daily cycle — same height every pass, zero variation.
• Roughs: Primary roughs adjacent to fairways are CEORA territory. Daily cutting keeps height consistent through peak growing season.
• Approaches & Collars: The Kress commercial platform handles tighter geometry around greens — precision cutting and close-edge capability where large-format units don't fit.

Equipment Options

Husqvarna CEORA — Large Acreage

Gold standard for fairways. RTK GPS navigation, 50% slope capability, fleet management software. Best for 60+ acres of fairway turf.

Kress Commercial Platform — Precision Areas

Tighter turning radius, superior edge cutting. Available through TerraSync's Sourcewell contract #112624-POSC — 20% off list for qualifying institutions.

NexMow — Mid-Range Flexibility

Fills the gap between CEORA's acreage focus and Kress's precision focus. Strong for secondary roughs and moderate terrain.

Korechi Pik'r — Range Ball Automation

Range ball collection can be automated too. The Korechi Pik'r eliminates 700–1,000 hours/year of manual collection. TerraSync is one of the few Southeast providers offering this alongside mowing.

Implementation: 2–4 Weeks

Here is what the implementation timeline looks like:

1. Property Assessment (Days 1–3): Terrain mapping, zone boundaries, charging station planning, slope verification.
2. System Design (Days 3–7): Which units cover which zones, how many, where charging stations go.
3. Installation (Days 7–14): Charging stations (standard 240V), boundary configuration, unit deployment.
4. Commissioning (Days 14–18): Full operational testing — edge coverage, slope handling, docking accuracy.
5. Training & Handoff (Days 18–28): Platform training, alert response, 30-day active TerraSync support.

Common Questions

"Can robotic mowers handle my course terrain?"

Commercial units handle up to 50–70% grades. TerraSync surveys every slope before installation. Areas outside rated grade stay on manual schedule.

"What's the electrical requirement?"

Standard 240V/20A circuit per charging station — similar to an EV charger. Most maintenance buildings already have appropriate access.

"What about winter?"

Warm-season turf in the Southeast goes dormant November–March. Units are stored or serviced during dormancy. Spring startup coordinated as part of the annual service plan.