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Turf Selection: Reasons Superintendents Select Different Types of Turf
Superintendents face a difficult decision of deciding which species,
variety, hybrid, or mix of turfgrass to plant. Pressure is provided from
two angles: the natural demands of maintaining green, healthy grass year
round, and the ever increasing high demands of golfers who are influenced
by televised golf courses and come to their local clubs with unrealistic
course expectations. There are easily over ten different factors superintendents
must account for when selecting the appropriate grass species. These factors
range from water and drought tolerance, to how high the grass can be cut,
to the way it looks, to the size of the grass blade, which influences
the roll speed of the ball. In addition, superintendent must take into
consideration the clientele the course caters to, as well as the natural
demands such as sun, humidity, and soil type of the region.[22]
From the 20 interviews, data was summarized regarding the primary reasons
why RI superintendents select specific species of grass. The most frequently
mentioned reason for selecting a grass species was disease and pest resistance,
with drought resistance, durability and resilience following close behind.
Below is a summary of each category, (criteria for selecting a turfgrass
species) and the grasses that were associated with each category, according
to RI superintendents. The following information pertains solely to the
greens, tees, and fairways of RI golf courses. Information regarding the
rough was excluded because the process of turfgrass selection changes
due to the high height of cut and different function of the rough.
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Disease/Pest Resistance
Out of the twelve superintendents who mentioned disease and pest resistance
as a priority when selecting a turfgrass species, half of them (six) use
a mix of grasses. Most commonly it is a mix of different varieties of
bent, blue, and rye, and occasionally fescue. Fescue is the most pest
and disease resistant grass, however it does not perform well under a
low height of cut, thus it is primarily found on the rough. The other
six superintendents who mentioned disease or pest resistance planted straight
bentgrass (colonial, creeping, or velvet), or a mix of blue and bent.
Maintenance Tip: When the goal is to reduce
pests and disease, seeding with a mix is a good strategy because if one
grass plant falls under attack the others will compensate for it.
Drought Resistance
The majority of RI superintendents who specified selecting a turfgrass
for drought resistance planted a very specific mix or variety. For example,
when superintendents said they selected grasses for disease resistance,
it was common for them to rattle off a list of species, such as bentgrass
and bluegrass, but rarely did they mention the specific varietiy such
as "colonial bentgrass." However, in the case of drought tolerance,
superintendents became much more specific about the varieties they planted.
The most drought resistant variety of bentgrass, velvet
bent, was specifically mentioned the most (three times), and appeared
to produce the best results. No other variety was mentioned more than
once; but, pushing bentgrass, colonial bentgrass, straight regent bent,
as well as a mix of other bentgrasses were all mentioned as specific drought
resistant grasses. Perennial ryegrass
was also mentioned as a species that generally requires less water than
other species.
Maintenance Tip: When looking to select drought
resistant turf grasses, find a specific variety, mix, or hybrid. Velvet
bentgrass was the top choice among RI superintendents. They commented,
"Velvet requires much less water, fertilizers, and fungicides."
Durability and Resiliance
The durability and resilience of turf grass relates to how well it is
able to handle course traffic such as extensive wear from carts, as well
as severe weather conditions, and the ability of the plant to recover
quickly and healthfully from such stresses. Similar to drought resistance,
superintendents who place an emphasis on durability and resiliency go
for mixes of grasses as opposed
to one singular variety. The most common variety was colonial bent, which
three superintendents planted. They all commented that if colonial is
well maintained it can tolerate a lot of stress. The other five superintendents
who mentioned durability and resilience planted mixes of bentgrass varieties,
or mixes of bent, fescue, rye, and blue.
Maintenance Tip: "A well maintained
stand of grass can handle a lot of traffic."
Low Height of Cut
Superintendents strive to cultivate grass that has the ability to handle
a low height of cut, while still remaining healthy, green, and upright.
Unfortunately for golfers who like a fast paced game, and superintendents
trying to maintain their jobs, keeping grass healthy and short is a very
difficult task. All four superintendents who mentioned height of cut as
a priority when selecting turf species primarily planted bentgrass on
their greens, tees, and fairways. The most common variety of bentgrass
was creeping bentgrass, and there was one specialty hybrid: Performance
ES-93. One superintendent commented on the hardiness and disease resistance
of fescues, but said he did not like them except for in the rough because
they could not be cut low.
Maintenance Tip: For a low height of cut
use bentgrass: "it can handle the lowest height of cut." - RI
Superintendent.
Mixing Ability
A mix consists of two or more turfgrass species planted together. The
idea behind mixing is to create a more disease, pest, and stress resistant
stand of grass than that of a single species or cultivar. [23]
The ability for grasses to mix can be a blessing and a curse. Some superintendents
want to plant mixes in order to create a more disease and pest resistant
turf stand. However some grasses will do more than just mix, they will
take over an entire green. Ryegrass
is generally known as the best mixer. A trend was not identified among
the species selected most frequently for mixing, however ryegrass was
repeatedly mentioned. All the superintendents who refered to "mixing
ability" as a priority used a mix of at least two of the following
species: bent, rye, fescue, and poa.
Maintenance Tip: Incorporate rye into the mix or find a pre-prepared mix
to purchase.
Playability
Playability refers to a "true" and fast roll of ball speed,
as well as height of cut, growth direction, texture, and leaf size. Playability
is determined by maintenance practices as well as the characteristics
of each specific species or variety of turf. Depending on these different
factors, the playability can be dictated and controlled to some degree.
Out of the three superintendents who mentioned playability as a priority,
two of them use mixes of blue, rye, and bent, or poa and bent. The third
superintendent selected velvet
bentgrass, and he said its fine leaf texture creates a fast playing
surface, and allows for the leaf blades to grow longer, which is healthier
for the plant.
Maintenance Tip: Plant velvet bentgrass,
and maintain healthy grass beds.
Quick Filler
Some grasses germinate and grow faster than other grasses. The ability
for grass to quickly establish seed can be very useful when reseeding
a green or attempting to fill in bare spots. Two superintendents mentioned
they selected specific grass varieties because of their ability to "fill
in" quickly. Bald spots will develop on the course due to disease,
or heavy traffic and ryegrass was the top choice because it germinates
and fills in the quickest out of the other desirable turf grass species.
Poa annua, is also an extremely
fast seeder, however superintendents have a strong dislike for the invasive
weed because it is an annual, and becomes dormant during the summers,
thus it requires a great deal of maintenance to uphold.
Maintenance Tip: If you have a bald spot
or need to reseed quickly use Ryegrass.
Upright Growth
Grass that stands up, and grows vertically is preferable to grass that
slumps over and grows horizontally because the later encourages thatch
build up. Two superintendents mentioned they had chosen turf grass species,
which among other things, stood up well. The specific species were bent,
and the varieties were creeping bent, and a blue cross mix, which is a
mix of bentgrass varieties.
Maintenance Tip: If looking for an upright
grower, look to bentgrass.
Heat Resistance
Heat resistance refers the grass plants ability to withstand extreme heat
without burning, where as drought resistance refers to the specific ability
of the grass plant to survive without water. One superintendent said bentgrass
had the best heat resistance, however no other superintendents mentioned
this quality.
Maintenance Tip: If searching for a quality
heat tolerant turfgrass, use bentgrass, or click here.
Winter Hardiness
Winter hardiness refers to the ability of the grass to withstand cold
temperatures and snow. One RI superintendent mentioned that bentgrass
had the best winter hardiness. According to research by Dr. Darryl Tompkins
from Olds College, Alberta, creeping bentgrass plants showed cold hardiness
to -26 °C after 90 days of ice cover before 50% of the plant population
died. After 120 days of ice cover, this cold tolerance was further diminished
with 50% of the population dying at -16 °C, where as Poa annua plants
were dead after only 60 days covered in ice.[11]
Maintenance Tip: To select turfgrass with good winter hardiness, use bentgrass,
or do further research, a good place to start is Ohio State by clicking
here.