The winter of 2025-2026 served as a reminder that bermudagrass winter injury remains a significant risk throughout the Southeast. Reports of thinning grass, delayed spring greenup, and severe turf loss were common across portions of the Carolinas, Tennessee and Georgia. While winterkill is often attributed to a single cold event, observations from several of my recent USGA Course Consulting Service visits suggest that the damage this year resulted from multiple stress factors occurring before, during and after dormancy. Here is a summary of my observations and some considerations that will help reduce the risk of winterkill in the future.
Weather Was Only Part of the Story
Several locations experienced prolonged periods of below-average temperatures, including uncommon snowfall and extended soil freezing. However, temperature alone did not explain the occurrence or severity of injury in many cases. Courses located within the same region often exhibited dramatically different levels of damage despite experiencing nearly identical weather conditions. The facilities that maintained adequate soil moisture, balanced fertility and strong carbohydrate reserves during the fall generally experienced less injury. Conversely, areas weakened by drought stress, excessive traffic, poor drainage, disease pressure, or aggressive cultural practices during late fall were more susceptible to winter damage.
Drought Stress
One of the most common themes observed across affected facilities was the impact of severe drought conditions experienced during much of 2025, a drought which continues across a big chunk of the Southeast. Many bermudagrass surfaces entered winter already under significant stress and were more susceptible to winterkill. An extended drought reduces rooting depth, limits carbohydrate production and weakens overall plant vigor. Although turf may have appeared acceptable during dormancy, weakened plants often lacked the energy reserves necessary to withstand prolonged cold temperatures and recover in spring.
Traffic and Wear Accelerated Damage
A high number of rounds continues to result in turf health challenges for many facilities in the Southeast. Areas subjected to concentrated cart traffic and repetitive wear frequently exhibited greater winter injury. When traffic stress is combined with drought conditions and cold temperatures, plant recovery can be significantly delayed or turf loss may occur. This type of winter damage was particularly evident where carts enter and exit paths, at fairway pinch points, and in approach areas that receive a lot of traffic.
Microclimates
The most severe damage was often seen in areas with poor microclimates. Low-lying areas where cold air settled, shaded locations with reduced sunlight, and sites exposed to desiccating winter winds consistently exhibited greater damage. These observations reinforce the importance of identifying historically vulnerable areas and developing site-specific management plans. Winter covers, improved drainage, traffic control and strategic tree management may all help reduce future risk.
Planning for the Future
Some form of winter injury in the transition zone is reported each year and incidents have increased as bermudagrass is grown farther north and west. Perhaps the most important lesson from this winter is that winterkill prevention begins months before temperatures decline. Fall management practices that promote healthy root systems, adequate carbohydrate storage and proper soil moisture entering dormancy remain the foundation of winter survival.
While superintendents cannot control the weather, they can give their turf the best chance of surviving whatever winter has in store. Maintaining healthy bermudagrass during drought periods, minimizing unnecessary stress in the fall, managing traffic and improving challenging microclimates can significantly improve the odds of successful spring recovery. The winter of 2025-2026 demonstrated that winterkill is rarely caused by a single event. Rather, it is often the cumulative effect of environmental stress, cultural practices and unique site conditions. Understanding these factors will help golf facilities throughout the Southeast better prepare for future winters and reduce the risk of significant turf loss.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, senior agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org