Harper Lin
Golf courses are known for their pristine landscaping, with lush, green grass that appears flawless. Achieving and maintaining this level of perfection requires meticulous care and attention to detail. The grass on golf courses is typically real, but the specific type of grass varies depending on factors such as climate and traffic. Different grass types, such as Bermuda grass, bentgrass, rye grass, and zoysia, offer unique advantages and disadvantages in terms of heat tolerance, drought resistance, maintenance requirements, and playing experience. While synthetic grass is an option, most golf courses prefer natural turfgrass due to its ability to provide a superior golfing experience. The choice of grass can impact the shots and putts of golfers, making it an important consideration for both players and course designers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grass type | Rye, Bermuda, Creeping Bentgrass |
| Grass characteristics | Fine-textured, grows upright, fragile, does not do well in heat |
| Grass maintenance | Requires a lot of attention, cut very short, requires watering several times a day |
| Artificial turf | Used in some golf courses, realistic feel and look, lower maintenance |
| Real grass advantages | Natural feel and look, ability to play full shots |
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What You'll Learn
Grass type affects the game
Grass type does affect the game of golf. The surface you're playing on can impact the shots and putts that you hit. There are many types of grass, fit for different climates and bearing different traits that carry different implications for golfers. For example, Bermuda grass is a durable, drought-tolerant, warm-season turf that is prevalent across the South. It can get grainy, but this trait is tempered when the grass is tightly mown, which is how Tour pros like it. In this state, Bermuda provides a beautifully firm, fast, and true surface. It can also be pure playing as it gets longer, providing the kind of cushion that most amateurs prefer.
Rye grass is commonly used in autumn overseeding and requires a fair amount of water. It is fine-textured and grows upright, allowing for aesthetically pleasing mowing patterns. However, it does not do well in heat, and if mown too low, it won't keep invaders out for long, which is why it is not used on greens.
Bentgrass is smooth, firm, and fast-running on fairways and greens in the spring and fall, especially in the Northeast. However, it does not fare well in withering heat and needs a lot of water when temperatures soar. When parched, bentgrass can start showing signs of strain by turning slightly brown. Bentgrass greens are common out west and in the Midwest.
Zoysia is a warm-season grass that is cold-tolerant enough for transition zones. It requires less water, allowing it to be kept firmer than most grasses. It stands up straight, yielding sweet lies in the fairway, with the ball teed up nicely. However, it can result in sticky bounces on short game approach shots, and bump-and-run type shots around the green are not recommended as the thick blades of grass will quickly stop a ball from its momentum.
While real grass is the traditional surface for golf, there are now indoor golf leagues that use a mix of real grass and artificial turf. One such league, TGL, features a "GreenZone" with engineered artificial turf that reacts realistically to spin and rollout.
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Real vs artificial turf
Golf is a sport deeply rooted in tradition, and natural grass is an integral part of that. However, artificial turf has been gaining popularity, especially in indoor settings and regions with challenging climates for growing natural grass.
Artificial turf offers several advantages, including low maintenance requirements, durability, and the ability to place it anywhere regardless of sunlight or soil conditions. It stays aesthetically pleasing year-round and is easy to keep clean, making it a safe choice for children and pets. Additionally, artificial turf eliminates the need for irrigation, fertilisers, and certain maintenance costs.
However, artificial turf also has its drawbacks. It tends to collect and hold heat faster than real grass, which can cause discomfort for golfers during outdoor play. The artificial surface can also contribute to joint pain and muscle strain, possibly due to the hard underlying surface. Furthermore, artificial turf is not necessarily more sustainable than natural grass. It requires irrigation in hot climates to cool the surface, and there are concerns about the environmental impact of microplastics, soil sealing, and the non-biodegradable run-off from artificial turf.
Natural grass, on the other hand, is the traditional choice for golf courses. Different varieties of natural grass can impact the game, with some grasses providing a firmer, faster surface, and others offering a cushioned feel. Natural grass is also associated with the sport's traditions and the intimate involvement of golfers with the surface texture, wind direction, and the grain of the grass.
While artificial turf may be a convenient and viable option for certain applications, the preference for natural grass among golfers and the environmental considerations surrounding artificial turf present significant obstacles to its widespread adoption in the sport.
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Grass maintenance
Golf courses require regular maintenance that depends on the climate, time of year, type of soil, and other unique factors. The grass on a golf course is typically a mix of real grass and artificial turf.
Grass Species
There are several different grass species and turfs used to keep the quality of play consistent across different parts of the golf course. The choice of grass species depends on the climate and the specific conditions of the area. Bermuda grass, for example, is common in warm weather climates as it can withstand heat, repairs quickly, and is drought-resistant. It is also often used in combination with perennial rye grass, which is more suitable for moderate climates and cooler summers.
Mowing
Mowing is an essential part of golf course maintenance. Different parts of the course require different mowing techniques and frequencies. The tee boxes and greens should be mowed with a hand mower to achieve a very low and precise cut. This is best done after heavy rain and when the course is closed. During spring and fall, the grass should be mowed to about 0.140 inches, while in summer, it can be lowered to 0.100 inches.
Watering
Watering is typically done with an irrigation system, which can be automated and adjusted based on rainfall.
Soil and Fertilizer
Soil testing is essential to determine the best fertilizer for the lawn. Fertilizer should be applied evenly across the lawn, following the instructions on the product. Overfertilization and overwatering should be avoided.
Top Dressing
Top dressing, or applying a layer of sand to the turf, helps to smooth out uneven surfaces. A blend of river sand and organic material can be used to level the turf while adding organic matter to the soil.
Aeration and Verticutting
Aeration and verticutting are recommended at least once per season to promote new growth. This process slices the grass into 2–3” long sections, resulting in thicker and healthier turf. Fertilizer can be applied after this procedure to speed up recovery.
Divot Repair
To repair a divot, place the removed turf back in the hole with the grass facing up and gently step on it. If the turf is damaged, use a divot repair mix to fill in the hole.
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Golf course design
The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) is an organisation that connects experienced golf course designers with projects around the world. ASGCA members are qualified to advise on every aspect of golf course design, from new layouts to remodels and strategy consultations. They have worked on a range of projects, from famous courses to local clubs, and are well-versed in the science and art of golf course design.
Another notable golf course design firm is Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD), which has designed over 100 courses across 34 countries and six continents. GNGCD offers a ReDesign program with a Renovate, Restore, Reposition and Rebrand approach, and has recently completed projects in Vietnam, Mexico and Cancun.
In addition to these traditional golf course design firms, there are also companies innovating in the space. For example, TGL (an indoor golf league) features a mix of real grass and artificial turf, with a focus on incorporating new technology into the game. While TGL aims to replicate the experience of playing on a traditional golf course, it also includes features such as a giant screen, a shot clock, and live microphones.
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Grass growth
Grasses can have annual or perennial life cycles, tall or short statures, jointed or non-jointed regrowth mechanisms, sod or bunch growth habits, warm or cool-season responses to climates, and requirements or no requirements for vernalization. Biennial plants take two seasons or years to complete their growth cycle. The first year is a time for accumulating food reserves, and the second season produces reproductive flowers and seeds. Perennials are plants that continue to grow indefinitely. Some may die back to the ground each winter but revive from the roots in the spring. Many forage grasses are perennials.
The four major factors that determine turf grass growth are sunlight, moisture, carbon dioxide and soil temperature. Other growth influencers include how the lawn is used, such as high foot traffic, sports, or recreation. The four major parts of an uncut, mature grass plant are leaves, roots, stems, and the seed head. Grass can possess three different types of stems: crown, flower stalk, and horizontal stems (rhizomes and stolons). The roots absorb nutrients and water from the soil, transporting this nutrition to the shoots and leaves. The leaves produce all of the food that grass needs for development and growth. New leaves are produced at the crown, which is tiny, white, and protected by sheaths. The crown also plays a big role in the growth of stems and secondary roots.
When choosing grass seed, it is important to consider the natural cycle of the seed, the climate, and how the lawn will be used. In warm zones, the best time to plant grass seed is in late spring and early summer. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, thrive in southern and western areas of the United States. Cool-season grasses should be planted in late summer or fall. After planting, it is important to water the lawn to build strong roots.
Golf courses feature a mix of real grass and artificial turf. For example, TGL (an indoor golf league) features real grass, specifically a special Tahoma 31 Bermuda blend, as well as an artificial "GreenZone" for putting. Golf courses may use rye grass for overseeding in the fall, as well as Bermuda grass, which is durable and drought-tolerant.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf courses use real grass, but some have started using artificial turf, especially on greens.
Artificial turf requires less maintenance than real grass, which needs to be cut very short and watered several times a day.
Bermuda grass is commonly used on golf courses. It is durable, drought-tolerant, and provides a firm, fast, and true surface when tightly mown.
Real grass provides a more natural playing surface that affects the way the ball bounces and rolls. It also has aesthetic value, with freshly striped fairways being considered a "thing of beauty".
Yes, TGL is an indoor golf league that uses a mix of real grass and artificial turf. The grass used is a special Tahoma 31 Bermuda blend grown outside the stadium.
