Golf courses are known for their beautiful, well-manicured greens and fairways. But have you ever wondered what type of grass is used to create these pristine landscapes? In this article, we will explore the different types of grasses commonly used on golf courses.
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses are the most common type of grass used on golf courses in the southern United States. These grasses thrive in warm temperatures and are typically planted during the late spring or early summer months. The most common warm-season grasses used on golf courses include:
- Bermuda Grass: Bermuda grass is a popular warm-season grass that is known for its drought tolerance and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. It has a fine texture and can be mowed at very low heights, which makes it ideal for putting greens.
- Zoysia Grass: Zoysia grass is a dense, slow-growing grass that is highly resistant to disease and pests. It has a fine texture and is often used on tees and fairways.
- Centipede Grass: Centipede grass is a low-maintenance grass that is well-suited for golf courses with sandy soils. It has a light green color and a coarse texture.
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-season grasses are commonly used on golf courses in the northern United States and other areas with cooler climates. These grasses thrive in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and are typically planted during the fall months. The most common cool-season grasses used on golf courses include:
- Bentgrass: Bentgrass is a fine-textured grass that is known for its ability to create a smooth and uniform putting surface. It is highly tolerant of close mowing and is often used on putting greens.
- Kentucky Bluegrass: Kentucky bluegrass is a popular cool-season grass that is often used on fairways and tees. It has a medium texture and a dark green color.
- Fine Fescue: Fine fescue is a group of grasses that includes creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue. These grasses are known for their fine texture and shade tolerance and are often used in roughs.
Grass Selection
Selecting the right grass for a golf course is essential for creating a high-quality playing surface. The choice of grass depends on factors such as climate, soil type, sunlight exposure, and maintenance practices. Golf course managers typically work with agronomists and turf specialists to determine the best grasses for their specific course.
Grass Maintenance
Maintaining golf course grass requires careful attention to watering, fertilization, mowing, and pest management. The frequency of these maintenance tasks depends on the type of grass, the climate, and the course’s usage. For example, putting greens require more frequent mowing and fertilization than fairways or roughs.
Golf Course
Renovations Over time, golf course grass can become damaged or worn, which may require renovations to improve the playing surface. Renovations can include aerating the soil, overseeding with new grass, or even complete grass replacement. Golf course renovations are typically done during the off-season to minimize disruption to play.
Grass and Golf Performance
The type of grass used on a golf course can affect the performance of golfers. For example, Bermuda grass can provide a fast and firm putting surface, while bentgrass can offer a smoother and more uniform putting surface. Golfers may need to adjust their playing strategy depending on the type of grass and the course’s condition.
Bermuda Grass used on Golf Courses
| Variety | Blade texture | Shade tolerance | Drought tolerance | Maintenance level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tifway | Fine | Low | High | Medium |
| TifEagle | Medium | Low | High | High |
| Patriot | Medium | Low | High | Low |
| Princess | Fine | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Celebration | Coarse | Low | High | Low |
| Yukon | Medium | Low | High | Low |
| Mohawk | Coarse | Low | High | Low |
| Durban | Medium | Medium | High | Medium |
| Riviera | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
| LaPaloma | Fine | High | Low | High |
Bentgrass used on Golf Courses
| Variety | Blade texture | Shade tolerance | Drought tolerance | Maintenance level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penncross | Fine | Low | Low | High |
| L-93 | Fine | Medium | Medium | High |
| Providence | Fine | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| V-8 | Fine | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Crystal | Fine | Medium | Medium | Low |
| T-1 | Fine | High | Low | High |
| Velvet | Fine | Low | Low | Medium |
| Crenshaw | Medium | Low | Low | High |
| Alpha | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Seaside | Fine | Low | Low | High |
Zoysia Grass used on Golf Courses
| Variety | Blade texture | Shade tolerance | Drought tolerance | Maintenance level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald | Fine | Medium | High | Low |
| Meyer | Medium | Low | High | Low |
| Zeon | Fine | Low | High | Low |
| Cavalier | Fine | Medium | High | Low |
| El Toro | Medium | Low | High | Low |
| Jamur | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
| Crown | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
| Geo | Medium | Low | High | Medium |
| Zorro | Fine | Low | High | Low |
| Palisades | Coarse | Medium | High | Low |
Warm Season Grasses Used on Golf Courses
| Grass Type | Scientific Name | Growth Rate | Drought Tolerance | Shade Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda Grass | Cynodon dactylon | Fast | Excellent | Poor |
| Zoysia Grass | Zoysia japonica | Slow | Excellent | Good |
| St. Augustine | Stenotaphrum secundatum | Medium | Poor | Good |
| Centipede Grass | Eremochloa ophiuroides | Slow | Good | Excellent |
| Bahia Grass | Paspalum notatum | Medium | Excellent | Poor |
Cool Season Grasses Used on Golf Courses
| Grass Type | Scientific Name | Growth Rate | Drought Tolerance | Shade Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Bluegrass | Poa pratensis | Medium | Fair | Good |
| Creeping Bentgrass | Agrostis stolonifera | Slow | Good | Excellent |
| Annual Ryegrass | Lolium multiflorum | Fast | Poor | Good |
| Perennial Ryegrass | Lolium perenne | Medium | Fair | Good |
| Fine Fescue | Festuca rubra | Slow | Good | Excellent |
Bermuda Grass Cultivars Used on Golf Courses
| Cultivar | Scientific Name | Texture | Color | Shade Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tifway 419 | Cynodon dactylon | Fine | Dark green | Poor |
| TifEagle | Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis | Fine | Dark green | Good |
| Celebration Bermuda | Cynodon dactylon | Medium | Dark green | Good |
| Mini-Verde | Cynodon dactylon | Fine | Dark green | Good |
| Latitude 36 Bermuda | Cynodon dactylon | Medium | Dark green | Good |
Zoysia Grass Cultivars Used on Golf Courses
| Cultivar | Scientific Name | Texture | Color | Shade Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeon Zoysia | Zoysia japonica | Fine | Dark green | Good |
| L1F Zoysia | Zoysia japonica x Z. tenuifolia | Fine | Dark green | Good |
| Emerald Zoysia | Zoysia japonica | Medium | Dark green | Good |
| El Toro Zoysia | Zoysia japonica | Medium | Dark green | Good |
| Meyer Zoysia | Zoysia japonica | Coarse | Light green | Good |
Conclusion
In conclusion, golf courses use a variety of grasses depending on their location and climate. Warm-season grasses are typically used in the southern United States, while cool-season grasses are commonly used in the northern United States and other areas with cooler climates. The type of grass used on a golf course can have a significant impact on the course’s playability and appearance.
