Fast Green Speeds, But at What Price?
December 04, 2020
Steve Kammerer Ph.D., senior consulting agronomist, Southeast Region
As we enter the winter months, rounds are increasing in many parts of the Southeast as more winter residents and tourists migrate south. The predominant grass of choice for most golf course putting greens south of the transition zone is ultradwarf bermudagrass. While this grass can deliver fast speeds, the winter period can be especially challenging depending on the location and the weather.
Dormancy is a key factor in ultradwarf bermudagrass performance and greens in the Southeast experience full dormancy, transient dormancy, and no dormancy at all depending on the location and the weather each year.
The ideal conditions for bermudagrass growth typically occur between May and September in the Southeast. When soils cool, daylength shortens and light intensity decreases, the grass grows much slower or stops growing altogether. In areas where greens often go fully dormant throughout the entire winter, green speeds can get faster with no further growth, potentially going beyond the target speed. There is little you can do to slow down speeds with no growth.
In areas with transient dormancy or no bermudagrass dormancy – e.g., coastal areas and south Florida – extended durations of cold, dry weather can also result in faster than desired speeds. If warm weather returns, speeds will slow as the grass begins to grow again. Golf courses try to temper these swings with growth regulators and changes in mowing and rolling practices. However, trying to stay locked on a set target speed during periods of slow turf growth during the winter months can cause the grass to thin out and even die.
Most golfers don’t care about the weather unless it keeps them from their tee time, but long periods of overcast conditions, or back-and-forth swings between cold and warm weather, can have a negative impact on turf health and quality. At USGA championships, even with all the extra resources and planning that go into delivering consistent playing conditions, when weather intervenes the conditions will fluctuate.
The same is true for putting greens in the Southeast in winter. Superintendents are experienced with every green on their golf course, they can tell when they’re getting growth and when they’re not. When they are pressured to achieve speeds regardless of the risks, bad things can happen – whether that means excessive green speeds or turfgrass loss. Listen to your superintendent, they know better than anyone what the grass is telling them.