February 17, 2012 -- Volume 50, Number 04   

Disease diagnosis should not be rushed, if possible. Proper incubation can help identify causal pathogens so that effective treatment can be implemented.

When lumped with all other day-to-day tasks, disease management can be one of the most challenging problems that face golf course superintendents. Sometimes when problems arise on turfgrasses, an unknown "disease" is the presumed culprit. Sample diagnostics can be useful in identifying the primary potential pathogens and when they are most likely to be infecting. This information is critically important in designing an agronomic program for prevention of diseases. This article is a short guide to taking the right steps to diagnosing problems associated with pathogens and extrapolating the results of a turfgrass diagnostic summary.

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Maybe they just don't like each other.

Q: The majority of our members drive personal carts on the golf course and often do not ride with their golfing partner. As a result, we see three, four or even five carts per group. Do these additional carts produce more damage to the turf? What can we do to change this? (California)

A: Golf course superintendents are all too familiar with the damage incurred to soil structure and turfgrass caused by excessive cart traffic. A typical foursome with two carts will impact about 124,000 square feet of turf (on a 6,200 yard golf course), while the same foursome with four carts (or even five in this image) impacts nearly 250,000 square feet. All carts impart some turf damage; the more carts, the greater potential injury.

We recommend that you develop a written policy on golf cart operation, and implement penalties for cart operation violations. As an example, a first offense could result in a written warning, a second offense a formal admonition from the board, and the third offense could result in suspension of cart privileges for a specified amount of time. The cart policy should be carefully explained and well distributed, and each member should be required to register for cart privileges in the pro shop. Additional reading on this controversial subject can be found by clicking on the following link: 

Letting the numbers tell the story on cart damage

Although not as enjoyable as the real thing, a well-constructed artificial practice tee can prove invaluable during certain times of the year.

Q: A few years ago our golf course installed a synthetic tee at the back of the practice facility so that golfers could use it throughout the winter months. Playability from the synthetic surface is actually better than most of us anticipated, but with temperatures being so warm and frosts limited this winter we would prefer to play from the 'real' tee. Any reason why we shouldn't be allowed to tee it up on the turf during warm days? (Illinois)  

A: Understandably, warmer weather this winter has generated more opportunities to practice, but, keep in mind, the turf is not actually growing even if it is green. Whereas air temperatures may warm to comfortable levels for a few hours on any given day to enjoy golf and melt frost, soil temperatures are still too cool to generate active turf growth. If the turf is not actively growing then it is has little traffic tolerance and no ability to recover from divots. Any divots or wear areas created now will persist for months and likely not fill in until early summer for cool-season turfgrasses and mid-summer for warm-season species.

Keep in mind that as soils freeze and thaw throughout the winter and spring, golf course playing areas are more vulnerable to soil compaction. This eventually requires additional aeration later in the growing season to correct the problem. Furthermore, when turf is dormant and off color, winter play slows its spring green-up and reduces turf vigor. This condition will persist into the golfing season and oftentimes results in more fertilizer and pesticides being needed during the growing season to improve weakened turf.

Winter play generates many questions each year for the Green Section staff, and there are very real risks involved for the turf and your golf course. Sometimes consequences are immediately noticeable, and sometimes they are not realized until later in the year. At any rate, it was a wise decision to install synthetic turf to allow for winter play, and it is just as wise to use it while the 'real' turf is resting.

For more information on winter play, please read any of the following articles:  

Playing Par with Jack Frost

Politics, Religion and Winter Play on Greens

Too Hot to Handle

Florida Region

By Todd Lowe, agronomist   

The Winter Goods, Bads and Uglies  

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Northeast Region

By Jim Skorulski, senior agronomist 

Mild Weather Complicates Late Winter Decisions 

The winter weather extremes continue in New England and across the Northeast. The warm temperature anomaly this winter dominates the minds of turf managers and golfers, albeit in much different ways. Most golfers see the warm weather as a unique opportunity to play golf. Superintendents see the open winter in a slightly less positive light considering the potential impacts the mild temperatures will bring later in spring. No matter how you stand on the winter play issue, there will be some cost in terms of wear and tear associated with keeping greens open to play through the winter. The extent of that injury depends on the volume of play and weather conditions that occur over the next three to four weeks. 

The Most Asked Question Remains, "How About The Weather?" 

At the writing of this update, the weather has turned more seasonal with temperatures within the expected range for this time of year. However, recent Turf Advisory Service visits have provided evidence that, in many cases, the soil is not frozen and there is a very good chance that winter hardiness (the turf's anti-freeze mechanism) is all but gone. We have just passed the halfway point for the winter, and, while the days are getting longer, we still have a way to go before the grass grows consistently.

Resist the temptation to mow if at all possible. Mowing stimulates growth and will physically remove snow mold protection. If it gets very cold (it is predicted to be in the single digits in the northern tier of the region), plant health could be compromised, particularly if wet weather occurs prior to the drop in temperatures. The potential for crown hydration damage is still real. If something has to be done, roll rather than mow and topdress to insulate and protect the turf. Both strategies will pay off as we get closer to spring. These are not compromises; they are wise agronomic practices that will result in better turf conditions later in the year. The mild weather this year has provided bonus playing time for golfers so do what is necessary to allow them to enjoy the course while still protecting the turf.

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North Central Region

By Bob Vavrek, senior agronomist  

Wishful Thinking 

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2012 USGA Green Section Education Program

Golf Industry Show - Las Vegas

March 2, 2012 10 a.m. - noon

Improving Your Golf Course Management Odds

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