Throughout the Northeast, snow and ice cover has been present for several weeks. In southern areas of the region, the white blanket is slowly disappearing and golfers are starting to get the itch to head out and play on warm days. However, reopening after winter weather can be a high-risk agronomic decision with effects that last well into the golf season. Even if surfaces are snow-free and appear playable, the soil underneath may say otherwise. It is typically saturated while thawing and the soil profile and turf surface are weak and vulnerable to damage.

Traffic on saturated soil also accelerates wear and compaction. Pore spaces collapse under load, which reduces oxygen in the rootzone and lowers surface infiltration. This often leads to challenges when the turf is ready to resume active growth. Soil damage is cumulative and the effects are often invisible until turf declines and underperforms well into the golf season.

Warm-season turf can be particularly sensitive at this time of year. Saturated soil and breaking dormancy is a dangerous combination as traffic can injure crowns and stolons, resulting in delayed greenup and turf thinning. Recovery will lag until consistently warm temperatures arrive, which may take quite some time. Even then, replacing injured grass with sod may be necessary – especially in high-traffic areas.

Often, temperatures rise and the turf grows just enough to create bumpy putting surfaces that get superintendents thinking about mowing or rolling. On soft surfaces, these practices can exacerbate compaction, leave ruts and damage roots. Short-term playability can yield long-term agronomic setbacks, so it is better to wait for the rootzone to completely thaw and surfaces to dry and firm before resuming normal maintenance.

Consider limiting golf carts to paths only or only allowing walking for early season rounds. Adding ropes and stakes and restricting play on the putting greens by implementing temporary greens will also help protect the course. If your course has specific holes or putting greens that are historically vulnerable to damage, it may be necessary to keep them closed longer than others. Delaying starting times each day allows time for the surfaces to firm and dry, which can also go a long way in protecting turf health and playability later in the season.

Northeast Region Agronomists:

Darin Bevard, senior director, Championship Agronomy – dbevard@usga.org

Elliott L. Dowling, regional director, East Region – edowling@usga.org

Brian Gietka, agronomist – bgietka@usga.org

Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service

Contact the Green Section Staff