Bermudagrass growth has sprung into action throughout the Florida Region. The rains that occurred over the past few months flushed salts from the rootzone and, with the recent increase in soil temperatures, bermudagrass growth has increased significantly. The increased growth provides a welcomed improvement on tees, fairways, and roughs that became beat down over the winter season from continual play. These areas are now actively growing and recovering from stress.

Putting greens have become slower and less consistent with the recent growth flush. Surface grooming, brushing, light verticutting and sand topdressing can be implemented on a more frequent basis to improve playing conditions on putting greens at this time. Also, plant growth regulators (PGRs) can be applied to curb bermudagrass growth and improve overall turf quality. These chemicals suppress a growth hormone within the grass, decreasing vertical growth and encouraging turf density. On putting greens, PGRs improve turf density and consistency, when applied on a continual basis. Recent research from Clemson University also reveals that the PGR Primo (trinexapac-ethyl) improves turf quality on shaded bermudagrass putting greens as well. PGRs are also applied to fairways from late spring through the fall to reduce clipping production, thereby reducing mowing frequency and clipping removal.

Golf courses that overseeded this past winter are experiencing a slower transition back to the bermudagrass base. Cool spring temperatures favored overseeding growth over bermudagrass and this may encourage additional turf thinning when the overseeding finally dies off. Smoother transitions generally occur when cultural practices are implemented throughout late winter and spring. Such practices include frequent grooming, brushing or light verticutting in winter, when the overseed is healthy. Then, as temperatures increase in spring, mowing heights should be lowered to increase sunlight penetration to the base bermudagrass. When temperatures warm substantially and sustained bermudagrass growth occurs, the turf should be fertilized more frequently with readily-available nitrogen to encourage bermudagrass recovery.

Some clubs are experimenting with herbicides to remove the overseeding and encourage bermudagrass recovery. These chemicals are effective, and can completely remove the overseeding in a few weeks. So, it is important to apply them during periods of active bermudagrass recovery and to communicate the possibility of unsightliness to the membership.

Source: Todd Lowe, tlowe@usga.org or 941-828-2625