Golf course renovation work has been common throughout the country over the past couple of years. While these projects are exciting, and in many cases long overdue, the young turf can decline during summer. Throughout the Northeast, the temperatures and humidity have been high for many weeks. In my recent travels, a common theme has been renovated areas that are struggling. Golfers have regularly asked during USGA Course Consulting Service visits: “Why did this new grass die out so fast?” The answer is likely that the turf was simply not strong enough just yet for traffic and this summer’s highly stressful weather.
The follow-up question is usually, “What did we do wrong? We don’t want to invest in another project if this is the outcome!” Chances are that nothing was installed incorrectly. The new turf – whether seeded or sodded – just needed more time to establish and mature before being subjected to traffic and the rigors of summer. Compounding the problem is that during renovations heavy equipment often moves a large volume of soil around, heavily compacts it and disturbs soil structure. Young turf will struggle to grow deep, robust roots in these areas. The newly renovated areas may look great during good growing weather, so it is common to allow cart traffic and routine mowing before the turf is fully ready. When the weather becomes stressful and new turf has not developed enough to perform like mature areas, turf decline or even death can result. While time is necessary to establish newly renovated areas, there are a few tactics to help move things along.
- Durability, density and overall quality of new turf will not improve without nitrogen, but keep it light and frequent.
- Reduce or eliminate traffic on immature turf.
- Eliminate plant growth regulators on newly established areas.
- Disrupt any sod layers or organic matter accumulation with cultural practices.
- Aerate to improve water infiltration and gas exchange.
- Fracture deep in the profile with solid tines or linear decompactors prior to seeding or sodding.
The more you can do to bolster turf health in renovated areas this year, the better off you will be next season. Keep this in mind for future renovations as well. Your regional USGA agronomist is a great resource to help improve turf health and playability while tempering golfer expectations for newly renovated areas.
Northeast Region Agronomists:
Darin Bevard, senior director, Championship Agronomy – dbevard@usga.org
Elliott L. Dowling, regional director, East Region – edowling@usga.org
Brian Gietka, agronomist – bgietka@usga.org
Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service
Contact the Green Section Staff