Intermediate rough is a narrow band of rough around the fairway that is mowed at a lower height than the primary rough. Sometimes it’s called a “step cut” or “first cut.” Regardless of the name, the goal is the same. It is intended to provide a gradual transition from fairway to primary rough when there is a large difference between the two mowing heights – as there would be during some championships. However, most courses don’t maintain their rough at 4-5 inches on a regular basis, which raises the question of whether intermediate rough is really necessary for daily play.

Many golfers love hitting shots from the intermediate rough because it offers a nice, comfortable lie, but there are downsides to maintaining it – the first being cost. Mowing the intermediate rough a couple of times on a given week can easily take 10 hours or more of valuable staff time. The mower costs around $25,000-$40,000 and must be set up specifically to mow the intermediate rough. It can’t be used for other areas unless the equipment manager adjusts and readjusts it for each different use, which is time they don’t usually have to spare.

The intermediate rough also tends to struggle when it comes to turf quality. It’s too tall to be an ideal growing height for many fairway grasses, but it’s cut too low for most rough grasses. The end result is often a band of inconsistent turf that requires extra attention and inputs from the maintenance team – more time and money! Between the specialized equipment and extra mowing and inputs, we’re talking about a pretty significant cost for a 6-foot-wide strip of grass.

Another downside of intermediate rough is that it detracts from the definition between rough and fairways. If the rough is maintained at 2-3 inches and the fairway is mown around a half an inch, that creates an effective visual contrast for the golfer. Adding an intermediate cut can blur those lines.

Lastly, it’s worth acknowledging the common misconception that intermediate rough is a key component of a quality golf course. This is simply not the case. I see fewer and fewer courses maintaining an intermediate rough – a change that has been led by some of the most highly regarded courses in the U.S. as they look to focus their resources and create a cleaner and more classic presentation. You may see an intermediate rough during televised professional golf events, but that doesn’t mean it makes sense for daily play at your course. The difference in mowing height between the primary rough and the fairway is what ultimately determines the need for an intermediate rough.

So, don’t fret if the course you’re playing doesn’t have intermediate rough or decides to do away with it. It is not an indication of how good the course is, it just means that they’re taking some unnecessary steps out of their maintenance program and focusing resources where they have the most positive impact on your round.