A contentious issue bubbles to the surface about this time each and every year, bringing with it the usual debate and the call for information and letters of support. It typically involves a small but obstinate group who choose or are forced to winter in the northern climes, and who prefer playing golf to skiing or other traditional winter activities. By now you probably realize I am talking about winter golf and the demand to play on the regular greens. The calls of dissension are beginning to be heard, so let's take a closer look at several of the more common impacts winter traffic can have on putting greens.
Impacts on Turfgrass - The grass essentially ceases top growth and enters a period of dormancy after several heavy freezes. There may be some short spurts of growth during warm weather periods in late fall, but for the most part it is over until spring. The dormant plants can not recover from foot traffic and ball marking during this period of dormancy. Allowing play on frozen, brittle turf above frozen soils will cause the greatest injury, but the effects of even light traffic accumulate over time, leading to thinned surfaces in cupping area(s) and an opportunity for annual bluegrass to become more widely established. The extent of surface damage will depend upon the volume of traffic, and the size and design of the greens.
Impacts on Soil - Traffic on partially frozen soil has long lasting impacts. Unfortunately, this condition is most likely to occur when the warmer weather periods that are most desirable for winter golf. The potential for damage is highest when the surface soils thaw while underlying soils remain frozen. The softer soils are compacted, the surfaces become bumpy, and there is a good chance the turf roots will be sheared. Not all of the impacts will be noticed immediately, but often come back to haunt the greens later in the summer.
The debate will continue as long as there is open ground in winter. But, this is a good time to respect your superintendent's recommendations as to when the regular greens should be closed to winter play. Who else has a better knowledge of the greens? After all, the greens are the bread and butter of any golf course. It seems reasonable then to take every conceivable measure to protect those surfaces so they will be at their best when it counts the most.
Northeast Region Green Section- Dave Oatis, Director doatis@usga.org; Jim Baird, Agronomist jbaird@usga.org; Jim Skorulski, Senior Agronomist jskorulski@usga.org.
