April 29, 2011 -- Volume 49, Number 17

USGA Past-President Richard S. Tufts

(Note:  This article originally appeared in the November 1960 issue of the USGA Journal and Turf Management)

Richard S. Tufts served as President of the USGA, Walker Cup Captain, and authored many books, one of the best known being The Principles Behind The Rules Of Golf". This work commented directly on golf course management with what he felt were the two most important principles. To quote Mr. Tufts: 

1. "If there is one principle more basic than any of the rest, it must be that you play the course as you find it.''
2. "The second great principle of golf is that you put your own ball in play at the start of the hole and play only your own ball and do not touch it before you lift it from the hole.''

In the last few years, there has been an ever-increasing demand for faster putting green speeds on golf courses throughout the United States. Brought on in large part by "TV golf" or tournament golf, the general public now wants to play under the same conditions as the professionals. During my USGA Turf Advisory Service visits, I am often informed of how golfers played on 12'or 13' Stimpmeter speeds during an event and loved it. The fact is, these golfers were probably playing on greens that may have been about 11' on the Stimpmeter, but they thought or were told that greens were at speeds of 13'. Bottom line, the average golfer would three-putt or four-putt with those speeds. This need for speed has brought on a new set of problems because superintendents are reducing cutting heights to achieve these increased speeds. In the last 10 to 12 years, we have seen a shift in putting green maintenance, where the average cutting height at many courses has gone from 5/32"(0.155) to less than 1/8" (0.125). Some courses are even at the 0.085" to 0.090" range. At these extreme heights, there is virtually no leaf area left and the turf is in significant physiological stress all the time.

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2011 Southeast Turf Conference Set For May 3, 2011

by Patrick O'Brien and Chris Hartwiger, Southeast Region 

The 65th Annual Southeastern Turfgrass Conference will be held May 3rd at the University of Georgia, Tifton Campus Conference Center. This year's one-day event format will be a little different from the past. If you are going to be in Tifton on May 2nd, please join us for a complimentary Industry Appreciation Dinner at the Black Shank Farm Pavilion at 5 PM. On May 3rd, everyone is welcome to come out and see the latest research on warm-season turfgrasses and to learn about the latest developments in turf cultivars and management during the educational sessions. 

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Golfers' Perspective Of Bermudagrass In the Spring
"It's Green! Just Fertilize It." 

 Bermudagrass approaches, tees, and fairways are unpopular with golfers during the spring. These areas on the course usually start green-up in early March, but do not begin to thicken until later in May. Why is this? Golfers see the green-up and complain that the superintendents are not fertilizing and watering enough to spur the fairways to grow.

Bermudagrasses, like all warm season grasses, are almost completely temperature-driven in the spring. The rule of thumb is that until the daytime high temperatures and nighttime low temperatures add up to 150�F, there will be no strong bermudagrass growth. Neither fertilizer nor water can challenge this fact --- temperature is the determining factor in spring. Iron applications can improve color and spring green-up, but it will not increase spring growth. Golf course superintendents would love to promote bermudagrass growth and see improved fairway density in March and April, but this is beyond their control. With luck, golfers will understand and be patient!

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Controlling Stress Variables Now Pays Off Later In The Season

Spring travels through the Mid-Atlantic Region have provided many opportunities to examine turfgrass that has been inundated with persistent precipitation and cool temperatures.  Saturated soils are frustrating to both golfers and golf course superintendents. There is nothing worse than trying to prepare the golf course for play while being concerned about self-inflicted damage from tire tracking, mower damage and foot traffic. It is equally distressing to worry about golf cart traffic that creates damage that, in many instances, is avoidable.

Many golf courses are operating short-handed. Employee callbacks and staffing have been kept at base levels for several reasons, including the budget. As a golfer, take into consideration these limitations and be realistic about expectations. More importantly, be realistic about playing the course during inclement weather.

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Recovery From Winter Damage: What A Difference A Year Makes 

The weather affects everything we do in the golf industry, and the record cold, wet, and gray weather in March and April (until recently) has made for a slow and difficult start. Growing-degree-day accumulations are a solid 14 days behind last  season's accumulations through April 25th. Cold and wet weather periods in a New England spring are not an anomaly, but this season's weather has been especially hard to stomach for both turf managers and golfers.

Those dealing with recovery from winter injury are feeling the weather's impacts most. The first reports of seed germination (covered greens) were heard earlier this week on coastal New England golf courses, but this is much later than last year. The warm nighttime temperatures of the past few days will help establishment, but expectations for early recovery of seeded greens are not realistic at this point. Here are a few tips when dealing with this situation:

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