Golf: Know How to Deal With Greens

Golf players are very particular about the state of the golf course where they intend to play. Golf courses where the greens are knocked about are not preferred. Such golf courses are a source of botheration. Course caretakers and owners are therefore particular that the greens are maintained. They deploy a range of methods and take immense care that the greens are in proper shape.

There are a number of things that could go wrong in the golf course. And these could be critical for the game. One such important issue is the need to ensure good greens. Ensuring that good drainage is maintained is important, particularly during rains. This is a common issue that is very often overlooked.

A single green will cost anything up to $65,000 or even more. A green requires a base layer in order for it to maintain the required shape. Crushed stones, PVC pipes, a deposit of sand, and a minimum of 13 to 14 inches of sand that is cheaper with peat constituting the root zone layer should make up its drainage. Bunkers and sprinklers are also required. Sod which is expensive is required for the adjoining area.

If golf owners intend to cut grass more than once a week they need to employ labor to carry out the task. Preventing turf grass problems is a major job. This means a careful maintenance of the turf and being on your guard always. The grass should be cut once in two or three days or even daily. Besides this, there are other works such as aeration, top dressing, application of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides as applicable, application of fertilizers, and putting. A list of activities and the required time frame required in the care of golf course greens is provided below:

Care for Greens Activity and Scheduling

Irrigation: At an interval of 1 to 3 days

Mowing: At an interval of 1 to 3 days

Aeration: Once a year

Top dressing: 3 - 6 times per year

Pesticide: Apply only when needed

Herbicide: Apply only when needed

Fungicide: Monthly once

Fertilization: Monthly once

Bermuda grass or the creeping Bentgrass are the best suited grass for the course. Bermuda grass is best suited in golf turfs located in sunny temperatures or in tropical region. It costs more to grow Bermuda grass in hot climates. Bentgrass is found most suitable in areas which has cool to moderate climate. It is easier to grow Bentgrass which also provides the keeper of the greens with an additional income. Similar methods are deployed in growing both types of grass. Bentgrass is not suited in tropical climate as it will be difficult to keep the grass moist in the heat. An overwhelming 78 percent of the American golf owners prefer Bentgrass while the remaining 22 percent opted for Bermuda grass. A survey by GCSSA of places in the US and the type of turf shows:

Bermuda grass/Bentgrass

Bermuda grass is used in all the golf courses owned by Hawaiians. Bentgrass alone is used in all the other states of US. Northwest Texas uses Bentgrass while Southeast Texas uses Bermuda grass.

The height of the grass is to be maintained at 4/16 inches. A standard mower can do this job. A rotary type standard mower is preferred. In addition, synthetic grass has made its appearance in golf courses replacing Bentgrass. It is true that synthetic grass is cheaper; but a number of golfers do not prefer this. There are advantages and disadvantages with each of these types of grass. They are:

Real bent grass

1. Though training and skills are required, its maintenance can be a pastime

2. Though consumes a lot of time, the grass is more pretty and enjoyable

3. Though grass mowers that are costly are required, it is easier to change the locations of the holes

4. Though irrigation is required, the grass is cheaper and grows faster

Fake grass

1. Though the concrete holes are lasting, there is no need for maintenance

2. Though easily recognizable as fake by expert golfers, the grass indeed looks real while playing

3. Though expensive as compared to seeds of real bent grass, all weather conditions can be tolerated

4. Though the installation requires labor fees, the maintenance of the grass is worry free