Overseeding primary playing areas with perennial ryegrass each fall requires more resources than a non-overseeded program. That statement is nothing new, but it is still worth emphasizing. A non-overseeded approach also reduces risk, as even the best overseeding plans are vulnerable to unfavorable weather, failure from high salinity in the irrigation water, and other factors outside a course’s control. Facilities have reported overseeding costs ranging from roughly $75,000 to $250,000 depending largely on overseeded acreage and labor and water costs. Not overseeding also has the potential to significantly reduce water use. Savings estimates range from 1 to 2 acre-feet per acre (roughly 330,000-650,000 gallons per acre) per year. This reduction may amount to considerable savings in water and pumping costs.
A decade ago, the net cost of not overseeding was greater because of lost revenue from golfers choosing the overseeded course down the street, but that has changed at some facilities. While most courses in the desert Southwest still overseed, a small but growing number are choosing to forgo the process and instead focus on maintaining healthy bermudagrass or zoysiagrass year-round. For facilities that have made the switch, the key questions are straightforward. How is the new program performing? How do fairways and roughs play? What do golfers think?
Golfer response to non-overseeded fairways has been mixed, but at many facilities the change has been a blessing. I have heard sighs of relief from golfers at courses that historically have endured poor overseeding and even worse bermudagrass recovery during the transition time. Another advantage is eliminating or reducing the three- to four-week fall closure required for overseeding. Additionally, courses avoid the soft and wet conditions that often accompany seed establishment and the cart path restrictions that are commonly needed after courses open following the overseed closure period. When water is managed properly, non-overseeded fairways can provide firm, dry conditions throughout the fall, winter and spring. Another important benefit is the absence of a difficult spring transition, when ryegrass declines and bermudagrass recovery can be slow, uneven and visually unappealing. Not overseeding can result in more consistent turf conditions and more predictable playability over a greater portion of the year. Many golfers may prefer the appearance of overseeded turf, but others are satisfied simply with having continuous turf cover and more consistent playing conditions.
On the other hand, some golfers strongly oppose a non-overseeded program. Fairway lies are often criticized for being too tight, with little cushion beneath the ball – especially when winter traffic is high and turf growth is limited. Others simply prefer the color and appearance of ryegrass. Any damage present in the fall may also remain until February or March because warm-season turf recovery is slow during the winter months. Some have also suggested that non-overseeded conditions could affect real estate values, but there is no evidence over the past 30 years to support that claim.
Golf is big business in the West. In Arizona alone it generates more than $6 billion annually, and for many golfers the expectation has long been for green grass and sunshine throughout the year. Perennial ryegrass undoubtedly provides a darker green color than warm-season turf – especially during the winter months – and many courses will continue to overseed for that reason. However, as water budgets tighten and more golfers recognize the reduced risk and more consistent playing conditions associated with a non-overseeded program, it is likely that more courses will choose to forgo overseeding in the years ahead.
In closing, golfer response to not overseeding has been highly variable. Change can be tough and omitting overseeding can be a significant adjustment that may elicit golfer complaints. But courses that commit to not overseeding continue to see improvement in year-round playing conditions, which often leads to golfer complaints subsiding and perhaps even turning into praise! For more information on strategies that can help your course successfully move away from overseeding, please reach out to your regional USGA agronomist.
West Region Agronomists:
Brian Whitlark, regional director, West Region – bwhitlark@usga.org
Ross Niewola, agronomist – rniewola@usga.org
Heather Schapals, agronomist – hschapals@usga.org