Most putting green performance data is collected in the morning when the greens have usually been mowed and/or rolled, and conditions are relatively consistent. Morning data gives superintendents a clean baseline to track the effects of inputs and helps guide daily decision-making. It gives us answers to questions like: How much speed is gained by lowering the height of cut by 0.005 inch? What effect does an extra roll have on smoothness? But morning data doesn’t tell the whole story.
Other than the regular early birds, most golfers do not play immediately after morning maintenance. On busy days, lots of rounds happen hours after the first data points are collected. By then, the putting surfaces may be very different. Greens dry down at different rates, influencing firmness. Foot traffic can affect ball roll. Growth can reduce speed. The differences between morning numbers and afternoon numbers can be significant, and that change may explain a lot about the product golfers experience later in the day.
That is why both morning and afternoon data have value. Morning data is the standard reference point. It helps superintendents compare one day to the next, evaluate maintenance practices, identify trends, and show how inputs manipulate data points. Afternoon data adds context. It shows how conditions hold up through traffic, weather, shade and growth over the course of the day.
The goal is not to chase perfect numbers all day long. That is unrealistic and could lead to over-maintenance. Afternoon measurements help superintendents understand the range of conditions golfers receive. If afternoon speed is dropping too rapidly and clipping yield is high, maybe changes to the plant growth regulator program or mowing practices need to be made. If shaded areas tend to play softer throughout the day, that may support tree management conversations or changes to hand watering practices on those greens. If smoothness declines quickly, traffic volume and surface health and recovery come to the forefront.
Data is most useful when it reflects reality. Morning numbers are important, but they are only one chapter. Afternoon measurements help complete the story and give superintendents a better understanding of the playing product from the first tee time to the last. This information can also provide useful context when courses receive a rogue 5 p.m. complaint about how the greens are playing. For help establishing an afternoon data collection routine, 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