Speed
Can KillReprinted from the May/June Issue of the GCSAA Leader Board
A quick review of a “player’s wish list” will find references to items such as quality bunker sand, level teeing area and fresh ice water at tee complexes. Still, as players’ skill levels increase, the most consistent demand is for “fast” greens. Trends: Bentgrass or mixed bentgrass/ annual bluegrass greens suggest that regular membership play is best at 8.5 to 9.5 feet on the Stimpmeter (device used to determine ball roll) and municipal daily fee play might desire 7 to 8 feet to better tolerate higher levels of traffic. In contrast, championship play expectations could be anywhere from 10 to 12 feet, and higher.
The Way to Speed. Providing greens that roll quickly start at design, construction and turfgrass selection. Sand-based greens can provide dry, quick surfaces. The latest bentgrasses being developed for upright growth, will allow for increased green speed, at lower heights of cut. Caution: Without proper planning and establishment, the way to speed on older surfaces can be stressful.
The Price of Speed. Many practices performed by your superintendent to increase green speed go against what might be needed to grow healthy plants. Superintendents recognize this fact and may only provide these “championship” conditions for short periods of time. Warning: As greens are pressed for speed, the margin of error becomes razor-thin and any additional stress, such as traffic, environmental or pest can lead to disaster.
Effects of speed: • Surfaces must be kept on the “dry” side, which stresses plants. • Mowing heights can be reduced to the point where the plants have little leaf area left to produce needed energy for growth. • Mowing frequency may be increased, a practice known to restrict root hair production needed for water and nutrient absorption. • Nitrogen fertility will often be minimal to regulate excessive leaf growth and in turn keep plants on the edge. • Topdressing and vertical mowing to reduce grain and create a smooth surface abrades the leaf tissue, causing increased water loss and increased disease susceptibility. • Rolling for speed has short-lived benefits and long-term consequences, depending upon the surface. The latest research has found increases with certain disease problem associated with rolling. The Future of Speed. There is little doubt that this pressure for fast greens will subside and thankfully, some new tecnologies in grass development, spikeless shoes, irrigation, root zones and design are becoming available. This may allow for our industry to push the envelope with their biological system. Question: When is enough enough? Speed can kill.
Source: Frank S. Rossi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Turf- grass Science and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
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