An investment in an ISEKI TG 6507 tractor is helping Elgin Golf Club take a more flexible and efficient approach to course maintenance.
Supplied by Fairways GM Ltd, the tractor has enabled the greenkeeping team to work confidently across the site while minimising surface impact and enhancing day-to-day operations.
Founded in 1906, Elgin Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the finest inland courses in the north of Scotland. Set in Moray and Speyside, the 6,496-yard course offers a fair but demanding test, with presentation standards central to its reputation.
Ongoing improvements, including bunker renovations and layout refinements, reflect the evolving demands of the game and place greater emphasis on precision maintenance.
Head Greenkeeper Calum Forsyth joined the club two years ago with a clear objective to build on its strong foundations and continue progressing standards. Having developed his experience in the Lake District, Nairn and Australia, he brought a clear focus on bringing operations up to date and ensuring the right machinery was in place.
“We’ve been going through some changes with bunkers and layouts,” Calum explains. “Modern technology has changed the game, and we want to make sure we keep up to date with that.”
A key part of that process was addressing the limitations of the club’s previous tractor, which proved too large for the demands of the course.
“We did have a tractor here before which was too big,” he says. “It meant we were limited to certain areas. That was our main concern.
“The TG 6507 can be used across all surfaces. With its size and power, we can use just about any implement on the back and go across the course without causing damage, or at least keeping that to a minimum depending on conditions.”
The introduction of the TG 6507 has allowed the team to take a more versatile approach, alongside continued investment in new spiking and seeding equipment.
In day-to-day use, the TG 6507’s operator-focused design has improved efficiency, particularly during operations such as aerating. A key feature is ISEKI’s IQ Gearbox, which allows operators to adjust speed on the move while maintaining consistent engine performance.
“You can change speed as you’re going but keep everything else consistent,” Calum says. “Being able to drop gears while still moving forward and keeping the revs consistent is really useful, especially when you’re trying to maintain the quality of the work.
“That IQ Gearbox makes a big difference day to day because you’re not constantly stopping or adjusting everything. It just keeps the job flowing.
“As you lift, the PTO switches off automatically, so you’re not having to juggle controls. It’s such an easy process. And with the cab, we can go out in the wet without worrying about conditions. It makes it a pleasure to use.”
For the team at Elgin, the TG 6507 represents more than a replacement machine. It has introduced a level of flexibility that supports both current maintenance demands and the club’s ongoing development.
“The golf course has been in a very good place,” Calum says. “We just want to take it to that next step.”
