5 cool season grasses grown in the same conditions for 8 weeks. Which one makes up the 95% majority of UK golf greens?
Traditionally golf was played on fine turf, un-irrigated mostly un-fertilised surfaces that had no access to Plant Protection Products - Fungicides. Mown at heights which would sustain the stronger grasses.
The demand for better surfaces lead to the introduction of irrigation, pesticides, fertiliser and reduced heights of cut, in the mid last century. These factors favour the ingess of annual meadow grass which has poor resistance to heat, drought and turfgrass diseases.
This leads to a cycle of more chemical and water inputs to sustain a weak species of turf on receptive surfaces.
The development of fine grasses to provide better grass surfaces, largely at closely mown heights has been ongoing for decades by turfgrass development institutions. Pesticide use is being reduced, water use increasingly restricted, fertilisers becoming incredibly expensive and turf surfaces coming under greater stress.
Will we go full cycle and revert mowing practices with modern developed grasses to sustain grass with no fungicides and little water and fertiliser?
The dead grass 'Poa annua' makes up 90% of the grass species in UK golf greens. Consider this when reviewing the condition of your greens and the skills your greenkeepers employ to keep it alive.
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