Frost and its Effects on Bentgrass Greens

In areas of the U.S. where golfers can enjoy the game year-round, winter temperatures, foot and equipment traffic, and frost can wreak havoc on healthy greens and present challenges for course managers and owners.

Creeping bentgrass, a turfgrass commonly used on golf course putting greens, is often preferred because of its year-round green color, ball roll, and playability. But managing bentgrass turf presents unique challenges from temperature fluctuations and frost, which can result in delayed tee times for golfers and lost revenue for course owners. Winter traffic from golfers, equipment, and animals can also cause damage and discolor greens.

In response to this common golf course management issue, researchers at Clemson University initiated a study to determine the impact of foot and mower traffic on winter bentgrass performance. The study determined that time and type of traffic significantly influenced bentgrass winter performance.

The report recommended that golf course practitioners should proceed cautiously when allowing traffic on turfgrass immediately after a frost melt, and concluded that, although bentgrass suffers damage and discoloration resulting from winter traffic, full recovery should be expected in the spring when temperatures remain above freezing.

 

Effects of Walking on Bentgrass Greens during Frost Delays

 

Here at Riverside, we do our best to adhere to these practices, while still allowing our customers to fully enjoy their rounds without excessive delays. Bentgrass turf is extremely beneficial to have during the winter months, and we strive to maintain the highest level of care at all times.

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Dormant Bermuda-grass

The grass really isn’t dead.  It’s just taking a well-deserved rest.  A cold snap throughout the Southeast in late October to early November caused non-overseeded Bermuda grass to go into dormancy.  When this happens, the grass loses its green color and goes into hibernation until warmer temperatures return in the spring.  The loss of color is simply a plant defense mechanism in response to the cold air and soil temperatures.  The grass is still alive, but growing very slowly.

The outcry from golfers usually centers on the following issues:

  • Brown color, which some golfers find objectionable.  The grass doesn’t “look” good.
  • Thin, muddy lies – cart and equipment traffic on dormant turf compress the leaves, resulting in thin/ tight lies on the fairways. Earthworm activity complicates this condition even further as the worms bring soil to the surface and create muddy conditions.
  • Slow divot recovery.  The sand-filled divots look like polka-dots throughout the course, and balls sometimes come to rest in these divots.

 We will just need the warmer and longer days of Spring and Summer to return to bring the course back to its beautiful green stripes.

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Welcome to Riverside Golf Links’ Blog

Welcome to Riverside Golf Links! We are a public, 27-hole golf facility in Old Hickory, TN. We have been under new ownership since July 2020 and have been striving to improve the golf course in every possible aspect. This is where you’ll be able to follow the latest news and information regarding what’s happening with our course! We look forward to hosting your round soon!

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