Light, water, air, mineral nutrients, soil and temperature are six essential requirements to grow grass. On the golf course, we can manipulate and manage five of these requirements to varying degrees. For example, irrigation systems supplement the lack of natural rainfall and fertilizer applications help maintain optimal levels of soil nutrients. Putting greens and tees can be constructed with sand-based rootzones to enhance drainage and compaction resistance. Various cultivation techniques can be utilized to ensure oxygen reaches the roots. Even temperature can be indirectly managed by using turf covers to warm the soil or oscillating fans to cool overheated turf. Some courses have even invested in subsurface heating and cooling systems to modify the soil temperature of their greens.