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Keeping the Greens Green
How elite Precast minion-bollards ® are protecting golf courses
n recent years,
I many golf courses throughout the UK have faced a troubling and expensive issue: unauthorised vehicle access. Rogue drivers, wayward satellite navigation guidance— sometimes vandals, sometimes misguided joyriders— have taken to the fairways, leaving tyre tracks, divots, and thousands of pounds worth of damage in their wake. But one golf course has found a surprisingly effective solution: Elite Precast’ s precast concrete Minion-Bollards ®.
Yes, Minion-Bollards ®— not the yellow cartoon characters, but small, durable, concrete bollards designed to be both low-profile and incredibly strong. Measuring just 600mm in height, these bollards are built from highstrength precast concrete and are often used in industrial and commercial applications to control vehicle access and part of a security solution. Now, they’ re finding an unlikely but crucial role in protecting golf courses and leisure facilities.
At Penn Golf Club the problem of car intrusions was becoming an issue. Despite signage and some fencing, determined drivers were still gaining entry through vulnerable access points and damaging greens, bunkers, and irrigation systems. Replacing damaged turf and repairing the infrastructure became a recurring and costly battle.
That changed when groundskeepers installed Elite Precast Minion-Bollards ® along a vulnerable area, which still needed access for emergency entry points and maintenance.
The Minion-Bollards ® proved to be the perfect deterrent: tough enough to stop vehicles without being visually intrusive. Unlike traditional fencing or security systems, Minion-Bollards ® don’ t spoil the natural landscape or interfere with sightlines across the course, as they can be painted to blend in with the environment.
As the Minion-Bollards ® are freestanding and can be installed without the need for digging or foundations, they are also a lowdisruption solution, ideal for the delicate setting of a golf course or leisure park. The installation was completed over a couple of hours without affecting play or requiring heavy machinery.
Since their placement, the golf course has seen zero vehicle incursions. The savings on repairs have already outweighed the initial investment, and the peace of mind for staff and members alike, is priceless.
Elite Precast Minion-Bollards ® may not be flashy, but they’ ve become a silent guardian of the greens. For any Course Manager or Groundskeeper battling similar issues, this discreet and durable solution is well worth considering. It’ s a reminder that sometimes the best course of action comes in the smallest package.
For more information, please visit www. eliteprecast. co. uk or call the
Elite team on 01952 588885.
40 GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | September / October 2025