Effects of the harsh winter have lingered for months on golf courses with warm-season grasses. Many facilities in the southern portion of the central U.S. waited into July to see if damaged bermudagrass would recover on its own. In the end, many ended up sprigging or sodding bare areas. Although it is still summer and temperatures are ideal for bermudagrass growth, now is the time to pull the trigger if sod or sprigs are still needed on your course.
Waiting to sprig or sod was a wise decision this spring because it gave existing turf a chance to recover. However, now is the time to get thin areas recovered if you are going to do so this year. Delaying the installation of sod or sprigs will increase the likelihood for winterkill next season. There are still several options for recovery including sod, sprigs or aeration plugs. It is also important to identify – and address if possible – any underlying issues that may have contributed to winterkill in certain areas. Oftentimes winter shade, poor drainage or exposure to high winds will significantly increase the likelihood for winterkill. Now is a good time to plan for tree management, drainage improvements or purchasing turf covers if these investments could help you avoid potential issues next year and into the future.
If you want to discuss your situation and a recovery plan in more detail, contact your regional USGA agronomist. The plan should serve as a valuable communication tool for explaining the causes of winter injury at your course, options for recovery and practices to reduce future risks.
Through the Course Consulting Service, a USGA agronomist can work closely with you to develop a specific recovery plan and identify strategies to minimize the risk of winter injury at your course.
Central Region Agronomists:
Paul Jacobs, agronomist – pjacobs@usga.org
Zach Nicoludis, agronomist – znicoludis@usga.org