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Putting Greens: Installation / Maintenance
Greens Maintenance
Over the centuries the art of greens maintenance was passed from one generation to the next by greenskeepers of chiefly Scottish descent. Many of the early greenskeepers in the U.S. were Scottish. In fact, there was a time in this country when one was not considered monopoly on the art of greenskeeping since Scotland was the origin of golf and the country where most golf courses were found prior to the 20th century.
Today, the golf course superintendent has replaced the greenskeeper, and science is rapidly replacing art in the profession of greens maintenance. Yet, there still may be more art than science involved in greens maintenance. For example, science tells us when to fertilize greens, which nutrients to apply and what ratio of nutrients are needed to maintain a healthy turf on greens. But, science tells us little about the effect of fertilizer on the playability of the greens
Topdressing is another practice that requires more art than science. The scientific approach to topdressing using particle size distribution, percolation and moisture retention can provide helpful information, but tells the superintendent little about putting quality, ball holding or compatibility with existing greens mixtures. The superintendent must develop a topdressing material with all of these criteria in mind. Even after developing a topdressing material, he must also decide when to topdress, how much to apply and how to work the topdressing into the turf so as to provide the least interference with play. These decisions on topdressing, watering and fertilization are a part of the ‘art of greens maintenance'.
Regardless of other practices, proper mowing, is required for good putting greens. Proper mowing includes daily mowing, daily changing of mowing patterns, mowing at the correct height, precise adjustment of mowers, daily cleaning and sharpening of mowers, training of mower operators and visual inspection of results. Mowing is the single most important practice in greens maintenance.
Mowing height is the only variable in proper mowing practices. Mowing height is dependent on grass species, the amount of traffic, environmental conditions and the desired speed of greens. Tifdwarf Bermuda grass and bentgrass greens can be as short as 1/8 inch, but Tifgreen bermuda grass greens should not be mowed below 5/32-inch. During mid-summer heat stress bentgrass greens should be raised to 3/16- or 1/4-inch mowing heights. Over seeded Bermuda grass greens may be mowed as high as 1/4-inch during establishment, but should be lowered to 3/16-inch within 4 weeks after planting and 5/32-inch or less by early spring.
Daily mowing at recommended heights produces dense, fine textured putting greens without shocking the turf. Less frequent mowing results in the removal of an excessive amount of leaf tissue at each mowing and puts the grass under stress. Removal of half of the leaf tissue at a single mowing can result in severely reduced root growth for several days.
CULTIVATION IMPROVES PUTTING GREENS
Cultivation practices including spiking, coring, brushing, verticutting and topdressing affect putting quality more than they affect turf quality. Most of these practices are unique to putting green maintenance since they affect ball roll and ball holding. Spiking, coring and topdressing help soften the green and improve ball holding. Brushing, verticutting and topdressing reduce graininess and thatch accumulation and improve the uniformity, trueness and speed of greens.
PEST MANAGEMENT - INSECTS, DISEASES AND WEEDS
The cultural practices discussed above are intended to develop fine putting greens as well as to reduce pest-related problems. Practices that promote healthy, dense turf also help prevent many pest problems. Proper mowing, fertilization and watering practices help resist invasions of weeds and reduce outbreaks of some diseases. However, even where recommended cultural practices are routinely followed, problems occur when environmental conditions are favorable for insect, disease or weed development.
Preventive applications of pesticides are recommended on golf greens when environmental conditions favor pest development. For example, fungicides should be applied under humid conditions in the spring and fall for brown patch. Similarly, preemergence herbicides may be applied in the fall to prevent annual bluegrass infestations. Pest problems such as brown patch, annual bluegrass and others that have history of developing each year should be controlled on a preventive schedule.
Other pest problems that are predictable should be controlled on a curative, or as needed basis. Repeated use of some pesticides can lead to problems such as pest resistance thatch accumulation or injury to turfgrass. Therefore, only those applications that are needed to prevent damage to greens should be made.
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Dave Greene Estate Care, Inc.
37 Ocean View Parkway - Southampton, NY 11968
phone (631)283-8085 - fax (631)287-8741 - info@dgec.net
Site by Hamptons Online
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