It probably isn’t a stretch to assume that shade and poor growing environments are discussed on nearly every USGA Course Consulting Service visit. It is undeniable that shade can weaken grasses and growing environments should be improved as much as possible, but the focus of these conversations often revolves around issues observed during the playing season.

What doesn’t get discussed as much is shade in winter. There are a few likely reasons for this. First, the colder weather in the winter means rounds are down and there are fewer golfers around to see winter shade patterns. Another reason is that the connection between winter shade and playing conditions during the primary season are not as obvious.

Just because late-season shade isn’t experienced during the summer doesn’t mean it’s any less harmful. In fact, it could be more harmful if the shade comes in late August or September as cool-season grasses are recovering from a long, difficult summer. Shade at this time of the year means that grass cannot fully recover before winter, enters spring weak, and might not have enough time to fully recover before summer. This is a spiral that can only be broken if sunlight is improved in the fall and/or winter.

It is important that growing environments, and shade in particular, are assessed at all times of the year – not only in summer when the course is most active. If you take an objective look, you might be surprised how much weak grass during the season is connected to fall and winter shade, not summer shade.

Northeast Region Agronomists:

Adam Moeller, director, Green Section Education – amoeller@usga.org

Darin Bevard, director, Championship Agronomy – dbevard@usga.org

Elliott Dowling, agronomist – edowling@usga.org

John Daniels, agronomist – jdaniels@usga.org

Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service

Contact the Green Section Staff