Golf Course Grass: Types of Putting Greens
By Bradley Turner, Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction – MBA, PGA
For golf enthusiasts and highly skilled players, putting green grass is the most important stretch of grass on the golf course. Achieving the perfect putting green grass is a challenge for turfgrass management experts. Yet, perfect putting green conditions are an expectation from many golfers. A critical element of maintaining ideal putting green conditions is to match the choice of grass with the right environmental conditions of the golf course. This article will highlight the most popular types of grasses used on putting green surfaces, the regions where these grasses thrive, and the unique cultivation practices for each of the grasses.
Turfgrass Management
Turfgrass management is the science and business of maintaining proper playing conditions for sporting events, including golf. In most sporting events, the condition of the playing surface is consistent with mowing height and cultivation practices, such as in soccer fields, football fields, and baseball fields. Golf is much different and requires highly skilled turfgrass management professionals to keep the golf course playing conditions in ideal shape.
The United States has a broad range of climates that impact the type of putting green grass used on golf courses. Golf course grasses in America can be categorized by the predominant climate in seven different regions in the country.
- Cool Humid – Northeast, Midwest section of the country, and Pacific Northwest
- Warm Humid – Southeastern states
- Hot Humid – The Gulf Coast and Florida
- Cool Arid – Mountain west
- Warm Arid – Southern California coast
- Hot, Arid – Desert southwest
- Transition Zone – An area between the cool humid and warm humid climates
Bentgrass – The Gold Standard
Bentgrass is a popular choice for the cool, humid climates in the United States. During the cool season, grass has a fine leaf structure and can withstand low mowing heights. It is an ideal grass for achieving fast and smooth putting surfaces. Many of the finest golf courses in the northern regions of America use Bentgrass, the putting green grass gold standard.
Poa Annua – A Common Presence
Annual bluegrass, commonly referred to as Poa annua, is a common presence in cool, arid climates in the mountains of west and northern California. This grass can thrive in almost any cool northern climate and can invade bentgrass putting surfaces. Turfgrass management practices will often try to keep Poa annua from overtaking the existing bentgrass putting greens. Because bentgrass grows slower than Poa annua, putting greens with both grasses will become bumpy later in the day. Some of the best golf courses in California, such as Pebble Beach, have Poa annua putting green grass.
Bermudagrass – Warm-Weather Favorite
This is the predominant putting green grass in warm climates. Many different varieties of bermudagrass are used on the putting green. Bermudagrass can be found in all regions of the south as it thrives throughout the hot summer months. The challenge with bermudagrass is that it becomes dormant in the winter, precisely the time when snowbirds head south to play golf all winter. While bentgrass is known as the gold standard for putting green grasses, with the help of science, bermudagrass greens have become comparable to bentgrass in many ways.
Zoysiagrass – A Genetic Hybrid Grass for Putting Greens
Transition zone climates have recently begun using zoysia putting green grass as the cultivars of this dense yet fine-textured grass, which can provide exceptional conditions for putting. Traditionally used in fairways and the surrounding green complexes, zoysiagrass is known for its carpet-like appearance and playability. New cultivars of zoysiagrass can produce smooth putting green surfaces that are resistant to warm temperatures. Zoysiagrass can go dormant with cooler temperatures, which may not be suitable for certain climates in the country.
Paspalum – Ideal for Sea Side Golf Courses
Hot humid climates located by the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean are perfect for using paspalum putting green grass. Paspalum is a relatively new grass that is used in hot, humid climates, as it is resistant to salty and brackish water. As the science of turfgrass evolves with new cultivars for putting green grass, the use of paspalum will likely increase in use at southern golf courses.
Selecting the right type of putting green grass is a crucial decision that golf course superintendents and designers must make. The choice of grass should be made carefully, taking into account the regional climate, maintenance capabilities, budget, player preferences, and local soil conditions. With the right putting green grass and meticulous care, golf courses can achieve the pristine putting green surfaces that golfers love to play, enhancing their overall golfing experience.
If you enjoyed reading this blog and learning about types of putting grass, you might want to check out our Turfgrass Management program. The program is ideal for aspiring golf industry professionals who have the desire to improve facilities, grounds, and equipment on golf courses and in country clubs.
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Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, together, we can elevate your game to new heights. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
