How Henllys Golf Club Keeps Greens Playable With The SISIS TM1000
At Henllys Golf Club, Autumn and winter have traditionally brought a familiar challenge: waterlogged greens. Thatch in the turf held water, leaving surfaces far too wet to play and in the past, even causing the club to lose members. Thanks to the SISIS Rotorake TM1000, the greenkeeping team has turned those conditions around.
“We’ve been using the TM1000 on our greens for over 8 years now and it’s been a real game-changer for controlling thatch,” explains Cefyn Owen, Head Greenkeeper at Henllys Golf Club. “Our greens are firmer, healthier and drainage has improved – members are noticing the difference. We get a lot of water running off the hills surrounding the course, so when it’s wet the course can really struggle. The TM1000’s contra-rotating reel and floating unit give precise scarifying without scalping and with five interchangeable reels, we can scarify, aerate, verticut and brush efficiently. Tractor-mounted and easy to use, it saves time, covers large areas and the depth of cultivation can be easily adapted without tools.”
The SISIS TM1000 is a specially designed tractor-mounted scarifier ideal for winter turf challenges. Its contra-rotating reel ensures a clean, consistent groove, while the floating unit follows ground contours without scalping. Unlike other scarifiers, the weight of the collection box is carried independently, so the reel is never forced deeper than set, allowing precise and controlled scarifying.
Key Features of the TM1000
-Five quick-release interchangeable reels for scarifying, linear aeration, verticutting, brushing, and other specialist turf maintenance tasks.
-Fast, tool-free depth adjustment for easy setup and operation.
-Tractor-mounted design for rapid coverage of large areas.
-Optional hydraulic tipping kit for easy emptying of the large-capacity collection box.
-Offset capability when used without the collection box, preventing tractor wheels from running over removed thatch.
With a working width of 1000mm (40") and a maximum scarifying depth of 50mm (2"), the TM1000 can handle a range of tasks quickly and efficiently, making it ideal for golf greens, cricket squares, football pitches, tennis courts and more.
Using the TM1000, Henllys Golf Club has dramatically reduced thatch buildup and improved water infiltration. Greens are now firmer, healthier and playable for longer, even during the wettest months. Combined with tools like the Multislit, the TM1000 has restored the greens to peak condition, improving both soil quality and member satisfaction.
“Before using the TM1000, our greens were far too wet and waterlogged, and we even lost members because of it,” Cefyn recalls. “Now, with the TM1000, the Multislit, and careful maintenance, the members are genuinely happy and returning to enjoy the course. It’s made a huge difference.”
A standout feature is the optional hydraulic tipping kit, which makes emptying the large-capacity collection box quick and effortless. Unlike traditional systems that require stopping work and manually lifting or dumping the box, the hydraulic tip allows the greenkeeper to empty the collected thatch straight from the tractor seat. This not only saves time and effort but keeps the workflow smooth, allowing the team to cover larger areas efficiently and safely.
“The hydraulic tipping kit makes emptying the box simple – we don’t have to leave the tractor seat, which saves us time and makes the job much easier and more importantly, safer,” says Cefyn.
For greenkeeping teams managing winter challenges, the TM1000 offers reliability, versatility and simplicity. It reduces thatch, improves drainage, and allows multiple tasks to be carried out efficiently. Henllys Golf Club is a perfect example of how the TM1000 keeps sports turf playable, enjoyable and in top condition year-round.