Similar to a lot of other areas of the U.S., above average temperatures have been occurring in Florida this winter. On January 22nd, a new record high of 86 degrees was set in Vero Beach, on the central east coast of Florida. In some respects, above average temperatures are a good thing for bermudagrass and seashore paspalum golf courses. The warm weather has been favorable to continued turf growth, and thus fairway and rough areas have held up better to moderate to heavy winter season play. Normally during December, January and February, complaints about very tight fairway lies and a loss of definition between the fairway and rough cuts are common because the turf literally becomes beat down from cart traffic.
On the other side of the coin, sufficient turf growth has been occurring such that maintaining medium fast to fast putting speeds has been more of a challenge. Typically during the middle of the winter, Tifdwarf, ultradwarf bermudagrass and seashore paspalum greens have almost stopped growing completely. With the practice of reasonable heights of cut and judicious double cutting or cutting and rolling, it is relatively easy to maintain putting speeds in keeping with desires and expectations. Even with greens that have been winter overseeded, the increased growth rate of the Poa trivialis, bentgrass and perennial rye is resulting in slower green speeds.
With increased growth occurring through the winter, naturally adjustments and flexibility in management practices is required. To maintain optimum conditioning with the putting greens, increasing topdressing application rates, along with more frequent and aggressive brushing, use of groomer attachments or even verticutting, has been required. Normally during the winter, care must be exercised not to excessively thin out turf coverage, but this issue has not been the case so far this winter.
The mild to warm temperatures, combined with higher humidity and reduced sunlight due to cloud cover, also are the ideal conditions for fungal disease outbreaks. As noted in our previous Florida Region web update, a greatly increased incidence of leaf spot and other diseases is being experienced. While it is always possible to find leaf spot lesions on bermudagrass, disease pressure usually is not sufficient to result in damage and turf loss Yet, even at some facilities where preventative fungicide treatment programs have been in place, outbreaks of disease have occurred. With the persistence of the current weather pattern, continuing to closely monitor for signs of disease and having the flexibility to adjust treatment schedules is essential.
Source: John Foy, jfoy@usga.org or 772-546-2620.
