Much more goes into grass maintenance at a golf course as opposed to a home lawn. The putting green most likely must be mowed daily at heights below one-eighth of an inch. Golfers very carefully inspect the turf as they line up their putts. It is common for most players to overlook all that actually goes into putting green care and the resources needed to maintain the playing surface. All of this dramatically impacts the game and allows a perfect putt to find the hole.
Specific Types of Grass Calls for Specific Care
What type of grass do you have on your golf course? It must be specifically selected for putting green use. Over time, turfgrass breeders and natural selection have improved the putting green. The key is to have turf that is manageable. Those managing the green must be knowledgeable about the specific grass care requirements. The commonly used turfgrasses on the US putting greens include:
- Bermudagrass
- Creeping bentgrass
- Poa annua
Old Putting Greens
Older putting greens are normally soil-based and were typically created with a set of specifications. Early architects created very complex methods for putting green construction. What is known as “push-up greens” are soil-based with minimal internal drainage. They are used to easily modify soils in older greens and have certain principles to maintain successful putting green construction.
To improve drainage on soil-based and sand-based putting greens:
- Use aeration
- Use topdressings
- Increase porosity
- Enhance resistance to compaction
Note that the aeration and topdressing methods may disrupt playing conditions for some courses. The goal for all cases is to improve putting green soils for optimal playing.
Modern Putting Greens
Modern putting greens have extensive internal drainage systems. The typical construction of newer putting greens involves drainage pipes that are installed underground to drain the excess water out of the soil. If putting greens are lacking this internal drainage system, the cavity is comparable to a bathtub filling with water from constant rainfall. If the turf becomes too saturated, it will lead to issues with its health and functionality. Therefore, soil-based greens are commonly retrofitted with internal drainage to reach an ideal playing environment.
Other Considerations
Putting greens are constructed with the utmost care and precision. The materials used to build new putting greens must be carefully selected, tested, and then retested to make sure that they meet specific requirements. It is common for fresh putting greens to be made of sand with certain modifications made as needed. The roots of sand-based putting green have manipulated physical elements to get the most out of the turf’s performance.
The factors are based on:
- Local climate
- Water quality
- Drainage needs
- Other site-specific indicators
The sand-based components are specifically developed to resist compaction, balance plant water, uphold air requirements, and drain quickly. Those who manage a putting green should understand that it significantly differs from home lawn maintenance. There are many factors that go into maintaining a putting green system that are very specific, and their management is a job that should be done or advised by turf professionals. Mishaps are inevitable, which is why Tee to Green Insurance is available so you can have peace of mind.
About T2 Green Insurance
T2Green Insurance provides the best customized and comprehensive protection for your club, resort, or golf management business. Our niche expertise and sole focus is insuring this class, while our industry professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional results so that you can feel confident with your coverage. T2Green offers specialized coverage options that are unique in the industry. With our exclusive program unlike anything else on the market, you can feel peace of mind with protection that is tailored to your club’s unique needs. T2Green is driven by innovation and responsiveness in both coverage solutions and customer service. We understand the challenges that are presented in varying locations and seasons to write policies for clubs from coast to coast and everywhere in between so you can operate with confidence, no matter what conditions arise. Reach us at 844-223-9005 with any questions or so we can begin tailoring a package that works best for your club.
