Types of Grass Used on a Golf Course

Golf is a popular sport played by millions of people worldwide. For golf courses to be in excellent condition, they require proper maintenance, including the selection and care of the grass on the course.

Different grasses are used for specific areas of the course, such as fairways, roughs, and greens. The type of grass used plays a significant role in the playability and appearance of the course. Below, we will explore in detail the types of grass commonly found on golf courses.

Bentgrass

Bentgrass is a popular grass type planted on golf courses. It’s available in many varieties, but the most common are creeping bentgrass and colonial bentgrass. Creeping bentgrass is typically found in cool summer regions and coastal areas. It’s short, flat and even, making it perfect for putting greens.

Colonial bentgrass, on the other hand, is commonly found in the southern United States, where summers are hot and humid. Bentgrass is a high-maintenance grass and requires frequent mowing, fertilization, and watering. However, its dense growth pattern and smooth surface make it desirable for putting greens.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is one of the most well-known and commonly used turf grasses installed on golf courses in warm locations such as Florida. It can grow rapidly and withstand heavy traffic, making it resilient and durable.

Bermuda grass is heat- and drought-tolerant and can also repair itself quickly, making it an ideal choice for golf courses that experience high volumes of foot traffic. Bermuda grass is often used on fairways and tees and requires regular maintenance to keep it healthy and looking its best.

Zoysia

Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass that is commonly used for fairways and roughs on golf courses. It has a dense growth pattern that makes it resilient to heavy foot traffic and helps prevent weed growth.

Zoysia grass requires less mowing than other grass types and is relatively low maintenance. It’s heat- and drought-tolerant and can handle a wide range of soil conditions. Zoysia grass is also suitable for golf courses that receive moderate to low rainfall.

Poa Annua Grass

Poa Annua grass is another common grass type used on golf courses. It’s a cool-season grass that grows well in cooler regions with mild summers. Poa Annua grass is often used for putting greens but can also be found in fairways and roughs. It has a consistent growth pattern, which makes it easier to maintain and mow.

Poa Annua grass is also resistant to disease and pests, making it an excellent choice for golf courses that experience these issues.

Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial Ryegrass is a cool-season grass that is commonly used on golf courses in the northern United States. It can grow in a variety of soil conditions and is often used for overseeding during the winter months when the warm-season grasses go dormant.

Perennial Ryegrass is often used for roughs and fairways due to its ability to grow quickly and repair itself quickly. It’s also suitable for use on tees and greens, but it’s not as widely used as Bentgrass or Poa Annua grass.

Naturalized Grass Stands

In recent years, naturalized grass stands have become increasingly popular on golf courses. They provide unique challenges and add beauty to the course while reducing maintenance requirements. Naturalized grass stands are often made up of fine fescue varieties, which are low maintenance and can grow in a wide range of soil conditions.

Fine fescue grass is commonly used for roughs, but it can also be used in fairways and on greens. The use of naturalized grass stands has brought a new dimension to golf course design and has opened up exciting opportunities for golfers to experience different types of courses.