Golf greens cup cutter for digging finds...

[YourOldDog]

I sold off a cup cutter that golf courses use to move the location of the cup around the green. I never thought I would have a use for it but now I may.

Given the accuracy with which todays detectors can pin point targets, does anyone think a cup cutter would be of use? Not much to them and easy to make if I thought it would work. I have some problems (health) getting down to dig. This "might" allow me to pull up the target site about the size of a Campbells soup can, put the dirt in a tray and sift through it and then pour the dirt back into the hole, put the divet back and move on. If you think it's a dumb idea please let me know as I am new to this, dumb about the topic and hence the dumb idea

It would be possible to search out an area and never leave any signs what so ever about your presence.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Cutting a 360 degree plug is frowned upon now in favor of a horseshoe shaped "flap". It seems that if not all roots are cut, the opening has a much better chance to recover without the grass dieing. I have to agree.

 

[SkiWhiz]

Not a dumb idea at all, matter of fact they make a similar thing called a Hole Hog Recovery Tool.

 

[BarberBill]

I'm with Larry on the "flap" or hinge. It also helps prevent the plug from being pulled up by a mower.
BB

 

[YourOldDog]

I'm with Larry on the "flap" or hinge. It also helps prevent the plug from being pulled up by a mower.
BB

Thanks for the post. I never gave the mower thing a thought. Wouldn't someone be a little upset if they found all these divets after cutting the grass?

 

[bobby-in-mass]

picture your lawn with hundreds of round yellow dead grass spots...looks like the lawn has ZITS

 

[gilfordberry]

Well, yes and no. If you're careful, you may be able to remove a target without leaving any indication of having been there at all; BUT...and this is why I wouldn't use this tool or anything like it in this area... unless that plug receives watering, and a pretty good watering, in the next day or so, when you return to the hunt site you may well find brown circles wherever you cut a plug. This is why Whites suggests cutting a HORSESHOE shape then flipping the plug over ....that way some of the roots leading into the plug from the surrounding grass are left intact and the grass in the plug won't die. Now, if you're in an area where it rains at least once or twice a week, why not? Here, in Southern California, where we get 90% of our annual rainfall in two or three storms, using this thing could well result in getting parks and school grounds put off limits to detectorists. Gil

 

[nw1886]

Plus there are other styles of "flaps". A "T" flap allows the root system to get water to the affected area from more surrounding area. "Popping" a shallow coin with a thin tool. (Some go deep with this method but risk scratching a valuable coin.) A simple slit can work well for coins down to 3+ inches. The "horseshoe" is best for deeper stuff and if on a slope, keep the hinge on the uphill side.

If a lawn is nice/but dry weather.....don't dig and if you do,water well. Keeping it all as low impact as possible, keeps us all in the game.Scott