Turfgrass is the foundation of any golf course, and managing it well is essential for providing a high-quality playing experience and maintaining environmental sustainability. But how do you manage turfgrass on golf courses effectively? Here are some of the best ways to consider, based on the latest research and best practices.
The first step in managing turfgrass on golf courses is to choose the right species for your climate, soil, and design. Different turfgrass species have different characteristics, such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, shade tolerance, and mowing height. You should also consider the aesthetic and functional aspects of your turfgrass, such as color, texture, density, and ball roll. Some of the most common turfgrass species used on golf courses are bentgrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, ryegrass, and fescue.
Poa annua (although considered a weed by many) is arguably the most common turfgrass species managed in cool season environments globally.
I agree, picking the correct species is important but there’s different phases of planning. First phase is foundation planning. This begins with the owner and course architect. Anytime you are dealing with nature you will have to change with the environment as well as times. Depending on if you decide to renovate certain parts of your club. It’s always smart to keep up with new cultivars and the best practices. There’s many different aspects to making the correct decisions and most importantly ones that will serve you best.
The second step in managing turfgrass on golf courses is to optimize irrigation and drainage systems. Irrigation and drainage are crucial for maintaining soil moisture, nutrient availability, and plant health. You should monitor soil moisture regularly and adjust irrigation schedules according to weather conditions, evapotranspiration rates, and soil type. You should also avoid overwatering or underwatering your turfgrass, as both can cause stress, disease, and weed invasion. Drainage systems should be designed and maintained to prevent waterlogging, erosion, and runoff.
Also make sure at certain times you may intentionally put more drought stress on the grass for deeper rooting, or keeping the grass leaner for less disease pressure. Plan to look your best and peak at certain key times, like your biggest tournaments.
The third step in managing turfgrass on golf courses is to implement proper fertilization and pest control programs. Fertilization and pest control are essential for enhancing turfgrass quality, vigor, and resilience. You should apply fertilizers based on soil testing results, turfgrass needs, and environmental factors. You should also use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to prevent and control weeds, insects, diseases, and nematodes. IPM involves using a combination of cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical methods to reduce pest populations and damage.
The fourth step in managing turfgrass on golf courses is to practice sound mowing and aerification techniques. Mowing and aerification are important for maintaining turfgrass density, uniformity, and playability. You should mow your turfgrass at the appropriate height, frequency, and direction, depending on the species, season, and use. You should also aerify your turfgrass periodically to relieve soil compaction, improve water infiltration, and enhance root growth. Aerification can be done by using solid or hollow tines, spiking, slicing, or fracturing.
The fifth step in managing turfgrass on golf courses is to manage shade and traffic issues. Shade and traffic are two of the most common stress factors that affect turfgrass performance and appearance. Shade can reduce photosynthesis, growth, and quality of turfgrass, while traffic can cause wear, tear, and compaction. You should minimize shade and traffic by pruning trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, using alternative paths or carts, and rotating tee boxes and pin placements. You should also repair any damaged areas by seeding, sodding, or plugging.
The sixth and final step in managing turfgrass on golf courses is to monitor and evaluate your results. Monitoring and evaluating are essential for assessing the effectiveness of your turfgrass management practices and identifying any problems or opportunities for improvement. You should use various tools and methods to measure and record turfgrass quality, health, and performance, such as visual inspection, soil testing, tissue testing, and digital mapping. You should also compare your results with your goals and standards, and make any necessary adjustments or changes.
Never leave for tomorrow what you can do today. Constantly monitor and document local daily environmental conditions (high/low temps, humidity, wind speed, pressure) using nearby weather station data (ie; weather underground) or utilizing quality monitoring handheld tools (ie TDR350). There are no “days off” during the growing season. Proper fertilization “does not” mean starving the plant to death. Understand your soil test reports and develop your own nutrient management plan based on those results. Use “MLSN” (MINIMUM LEVELS OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION) to develop a nutrient management plan that maximizes nutrient use and reduces overall waste. The plant will only use what it needs based on N inputs.