Ava Romero
Golf course greens often shrink over time, sometimes due to inadvertent collar encroachment. This occurs when greens mowers, in an attempt to avoid scalping the collar, allow it to creep into the green. To prevent this, it is important to maintain a precise cleanup pass and regularly edge the margin between the putting green and the collars. Additionally, greens may thin out due to excessive mowing and rolling, which increases the stress on the plants. To maintain the health of the greens, it is crucial to consider factors such as soil physics, soil biology, irrigation, and fertilization. While mowing and rolling can enhance green speed, excessive practices can lead to thinning and increased susceptibility to diseases. Therefore, setting a speed limit and maintaining a balanced approach to mowing and rolling is essential for the long-term health of the greens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grass type | Bentgrass, Bermuda grass, Rye, Bluegrass |
| Grass height | Less than 0.25 inches, less than 0.1 inches |
| Mowing frequency | Every morning before play, twice a day for PGA tournaments |
| Rolling frequency | 2-5 times a week, 7 times a week causes thinning |
| Maintenance | Soil physics, soil biology, cultivation, irrigation, fertilization |
| Climate | Bentgrass for colder climates, Bermuda grass for warmer climates |
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What You'll Learn
Mowing and watering
Mowing
Mowing is a primary practice used to achieve smooth and fast greens. The invention of mechanized mowers revolutionized golf course maintenance, allowing turf to be cut lower and more consistently. Today, greens are mowed daily, and during tournaments, they may be mowed several times per day to maintain ultra-low heights.
The height of the grass on golf greens is typically between 3mm and 3.5mm. Newer mowers enable superintendents to mow below 3mm, resulting in faster green speeds. However, it is important to note that mowing injures the grass, so healthy and actively growing grass is necessary for it to withstand the stress of mowing. If the turf is experiencing stress, such as high temperatures, frozen conditions, or pest infestations, mowing practices should be adjusted and scaled back.
Watering
Proper watering practices are essential for maintaining the health and performance of golf greens. Watering in the early morning reduces water loss due to evaporation and lowers the risk of disease. It is recommended to water when footprints on the green fail to spring back or when the grass takes on a blue-purple tint.
The type of grass also influences watering practices. For example, bentgrass, widely considered the best for premium putting greens, requires a lot of water during hot temperatures. Without adequate water, bentgrass can show signs of stress by turning slightly brown. On the other hand, rye grass, while aesthetically pleasing, does not fare well in heat and requires careful management.
Additional Practices
Other practices, such as vertical mowing, aeration, and topdressing, also play a role in maintaining golf greens. Vertical mowing and aeration improve water penetration, while topdressing, when applied lightly and frequently, can enhance green speed and discourage thatch build-up.
In conclusion, mowing and watering practices are integral to the maintenance of golf greens. By understanding the specific needs of the grass type and adjusting practices according to environmental conditions, superintendents can achieve smooth, fast greens while preserving the health of the turf.
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Divot and pitch mark repairs
Maintaining golf greens is a challenging task that requires a lot of work and attention to detail. Superintendents of golf courses need to carefully manage the mowing and rolling of the greens to ensure they are in optimal condition for play.
One important aspect of maintaining golf greens is repairing divots and pitch marks. While it is generally not allowed to repair divot holes or pitch marks off the green during a game, it is essential to fix these issues after the game to ensure the longevity and quality of the green.
Divots are small patches of turf that are dislodged or cut out, often caused by the impact of a golf club during a shot. To repair a divot, fill the hole with topsoil or a mixture of sand and seed. Gently tamp down the repaired area to ensure it is level with the surrounding surface. It is also good practice to repair divots made by other players on the course, as this helps maintain the overall condition of the green.
Pitch marks, also known as ball marks, are indentations made on the green by a ball that has landed on it. To repair a pitch mark, use a ball mark repair tool or even a golf tee. Insert the tool behind the mark and gently push the surrounding turf towards the center of the indentation. Avoid lifting or twisting motions, as these can damage the turf roots. Once you've filled the indentation, gently tamp down the area with your putter to create a smooth and firm surface.
By taking the time to repair divots and pitch marks, golfers can play a significant role in maintaining the quality of the greens. These simple acts of maintenance can help prevent long-lasting damage and ensure that the greens remain in optimal condition for future players.
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Turfing, plugging and patching
Maintaining golf greens is a challenging task that requires constant care and attention. One of the most common forms of damage to golf greens is divots, which are left on the surface after play. Divoting, along with pitch mark repairs, are regular methods of maintenance to keep the surface even and weed-free.
Turfing, plugging, and patching are essential techniques for thinning out and repairing golf greens. Turfing involves removing damaged areas of turf, such as contamination from oil spills, or providing access to irrigation pipes. This can be done by hand or with a machine called a turf cutter.
Plugging or patching is then used to repair or replace small patches of turf. This method is ideal for addressing issues like weed grass or damaged grass. A turf doctor can be used to cleanly remove a section of turf, allowing for a fresh core to be patched in easily.
For larger areas requiring renovation, overseeding may be necessary. This is typically done in spring and autumn, with specially blended seed varieties to provide a hardwearing surface with a high recovery rate.
In addition to these techniques, maintaining optimal soil moisture levels is crucial. This includes addressing issues like uneven watering, overwatering, or underwatering, which can negatively impact the playability and aesthetics of the green. Proper watering schedules, along with smart irrigation technology, are essential to maintaining optimal playing conditions.
Furthermore, adopting a preventative mindset can help minimize the impact of pests and diseases. Educating staff about common turf issues and providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge can contribute to maintaining a healthy and visually appealing green.
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Grass type and climate
The type of grass used on a golf green is critical to its maintenance and performance. Golf course superintendents and designers must carefully select the grass type, taking into account regional climate, maintenance requirements, budget, player preferences, and local soil conditions.
Bentgrass is a popular choice for golf courses in the Northeast and upper Midwest of the United States due to its ability to thrive in cool, humid climates. It has thin blades that can be mown closely, making it ideal for achieving fast and smooth putting surfaces. However, bentgrass does not fare well in withering heat and requires ample water during hot temperatures.
Poa annua, or annual bluegrass, is commonly found in the cool, arid climates of northern and western California. It can invade bentgrass putting surfaces and thrives in almost any cool northern climate. Poa annua is fast-growing and can cause bumpiness on the greens later in the day due to the seedheads it produces.
Bermudagrass is prevalent in warm climates and is widely used in the southern regions of the United States. It is a durable, drought-tolerant turf that can withstand hot summer months. However, bermudagrass becomes dormant in winter, which may be a consideration for golf courses in southern regions.
Zoysia is another grass type that provides exceptional putting conditions in transition zone climates. It is known for its dense yet fine-textured structure, creating a carpet-like appearance and excellent playability. While zoysia can be sticky, it is loved by golfers for its ability to provide a firm and fast surface.
Rye grass is commonly used in autumn overseeding, especially when bermudagrass goes dormant. While it creates aesthetically pleasing mowing patterns, it is fragile and does not tolerate heat or close mowing well, which is why it is typically not used on greens.
Paspalum is a newer grass type that is gaining popularity in hot, humid climates near the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It is resistant to salty and brackish water, making it a suitable choice for golf courses in these regions.
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Collar encroachment
The turf in these areas is routinely subjected to stress from the starting, stopping, and turning of mowers and rollers. Collar turf often grows more laterally, has wider leaf blades, and is not as dense as putting green turf, making it more susceptible to equipment abrasion and injury. This can lead to significant turf injury and poor playing conditions if not carefully managed.
To reduce the likelihood of turf injury and promote healthy collar growth, several measures can be implemented:
- Smooth or segmented front rollers: Using smooth or segmented front rollers on mowing equipment can help reduce mechanical injury to the turf. Grooved rollers can promote upright growth but may also increase the risk of injury.
- Light brushing: Lightly brushing the turf can help manage lateral growth and reduce the need for more aggressive interventions.
- Lower mowing height: A mowing height of 0.250-0.350 inch often improves collar performance and plant density, thus enhancing wear tolerance. This is especially beneficial for creeping bentgrass collars.
- Omit collars during establishment: When establishing new putting greens, it is common to temporarily omit collars to give young turf time to develop a sufficient mat layer. Once the turf has matured, typically after one year, the height can be increased to create the collar.
- Alternative options: Some courses choose never to establish a collar at all, eliminating the need for extra mowing operations and providing additional hole locations.
By carefully managing collar encroachment and implementing these strategies, groundskeepers can improve the health and performance of their putting green collars, creating optimal playing conditions for golfers.
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Frequently asked questions
To thin out your golf greens, you can reduce the height of your cut. Every small reduction in height (0.025”) on putting greens reduces the photosynthetic potential of the putting green by 50%, and over time the plant will die back and thin out.
Your average golf course will cut the greens every morning before play at 3.5mm height. For a PGA tournament, greens may be cut twice in the morning and twice in the evening.
To maintain the health of your golf greens, you must regularly renovate them to bring the surface back to a suitable quality. This helps to create a dense, smooth and fine sward, providing a superior playing surface.
