Maintaining a golf course is much more than mowing grass and turning on sprinklers. Every square foot of turf, sand and native area is managed with intentionality, science and precision. Golfers often develop their ideas about course conditions and maintenance practices based on what they experience during a round or hear from friends – but what we see on a particular day doesn’t tell the whole story and our friends don’t always have the facts. Let’s take a moment to clear up three of the most common myths we encounter in golf course maintenance and hopefully deepen your appreciation for the art and science that goes into taking care of a golf course.

Myth 1: “Naturalized areas are low maintenance.”

To the untrained eye, native or “naturalized” areas may seem like an easy way for courses to save time and money. But don’t be fooled, these areas can require just as much planning and attention as other parts of the course – and sometimes even more.

One major consideration for naturalized areas is weed control. Unmanaged, these areas become a breeding ground for invasive weeds like crabgrass, goosegrass or broadleaf weeds. Maintaining the desired plant community, presentation and playability often means constant monitoring and labor-intensive weed control.

It is also important to consider the purpose of naturalized zones at a particular course. They often serve aesthetic, environmental and architectural goals. To achieve the intended vision, superintendents may have to seed native grasses or wildflowers, manage the timing of mowing, or burn areas during dormancy. It’s a different kind of maintenance – less frequent but highly strategic, and it can take a lot of staff time depending on a course’s goals.

Myth 2: “Just lower the mowing height to make the greens faster.”

This one is a favorite comment on Saturday mornings, especially when the greens are rolling slower than expected. But achieving faster green speeds is not as simple as dropping the mower height.

Lowering the mowing height of putting greens without adjusting other practices can lead to catastrophic results. Shorter turf has less leaf surface for photosynthesis and less root mass, making it more susceptible to heat stress, disease and traffic damage. To produce smooth and fast putting greens, superintendents must balance mowing height with practices like rolling, topdressing, vertical mowing and proper irrigation.

Green speed is a delicate recipe, not a one-ingredient dish. Superintendents work tirelessly to provide consistent surfaces that are healthy and playable, but the line between “fast” and “failing” can be razor thin.

Myth 3: “If the grass isn’t green, we should water more.”

Ask any superintendent what myth they hear most often from golfers, and this one is at the top of the list. While watering is essential, simply turning on the sprinklers doesn’t guarantee green grass.

Grass color is influenced by species, soil conditions, nutrition and weather – not just water. Chasing color by watering more and more can lead to weak, shallow-rooted turf, increased disease pressure and soft playing surfaces. Superintendents aim for firm, fast and healthy turf, which means some areas might dry out a bit.

Thanks to modern tools and techniques, superintendents can apply water precisely rather than excessively. Healthy grass that plays well can come in a range of colors and green doesn’t always mean good.

It’s important to recognize that the people maintaining our golf courses have an incredible amount of expertise and experience. Everything is (or is not) done for a reason. The best way to get the facts and stop myths from spreading is by asking the superintendent at your course if you have any questions or concerns. Once you have the real story, you can do some myth busting of your own!