Every spring we apply pre-emergent herbicides in combination with fertilizer to ensure high quality weed-free roughs and green surrounds. At this time we will also apply wetting agents to improve water holding capacity of soils to help ensure quality turf in areas where we are lacking in irrigation.
Full Answer
How do golf courses stay weed free?
Golf courses also adhere to a regular schedule of applying pre-emergent herbicides as well as weed killers and fertilizer. The key behind pre-emergent herbicides is weed prevention. Of course there are no “magic bullets” that keep all weeds out for the entire growing season.
How are golf greens maintained?
Proper mowing includes daily mowing, daily changing of mowing patterns, mowing at the correct height, precise adjustment of mowers, daily cleaning and sharpening of mowers, training of mower operators and visual inspection of results. Mowing is the single most important practice in greens maintenance.
What do golf courses use for weed control?
For warm season turfgrass, Certainty, Sedgehammer, Celero, or Monument herbicides are effective. For resistance management and improved control, mix the aforementioned herbicides with Dismiss and/or Basagran T/O herbicides. For cool season turfgrass, Sedgehammer, Dismiss, or Basagran T/O works well.
What do golf courses spray on greens?
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used extensively in the agricultural industry, as well as on golf courses, green houses, and as mosquito adulticide.
How often do golf courses cut grass?
On average, greens are mowed at least five days per week, and in most cases six or seven days per week. Courses that choose to mow five or six days per week will take advantage of a closed Monday or Tuesday to skip mowing and focus more on agronomic programs like topdressing or aeration.
How often are golf greens watered?
every two to three daysHow much (and when!) to water your lawn, according to a golf-course superintendent. About a third of an inch of water every two to three days is a good goal for your yard.
How do golf courses get rid of dandelions?
Any herbicide that contains 2,4-D will effectively control dandelions. Although research has demonstrated that fall is the best time to control dandelions and many other turf weeds, many turf managers find it necessary to treat for dandelions during spring when roughs can look more yellow than green.
How do I get my lawn to look like a golf course?
There are four main factors that go into giving your lawn that lush, golf-course look.Mow your lawn properly. Often, people take shortcuts when it comes to mowing their lawn. ... Apply the right fertilizer (at the right times). ... Use the right amount of water (and consider irrigation). ... Stop the weeds dead in their tracks.
What kills signal grass?
Non-selective spot control of tropical signalgrass can be accomplished by making multiple spot-treatment applications of glyphosate with a preemergence herbicide such as pendimethalin added to the mix. This treatment will also kill the turfgrass, but it will help minimize future tropical signalgrass populations.
Do all golf courses use pesticides?
The Pesticide Specialist explained that pesticides are used on golf courses and other recreational areas to maintain the health and appearance of the turf. James learned that most golf courses have highly trained golf course superintendents who manage the course, including turf management and pest control strategies.
How often are golf courses sprayed?
“We get into periods here where I will spray my tees and greens every seven to 10 days and the fairways every two weeks,” he says. “We usually spray three days out of seven, so combining chemicals to get more bang for the buck is a necessity.”
Do golf courses dye their grass?
Golf courses have long used grass paints, known as "turf colorants" by those who produce them, to spruce up faded fairways and greens. But in recent years such products, typically made from vegetable dyes or latex paint, have infiltrated the consumer market.
Why do golf courses have synthetic grass?
The reasons are obvious: low maintenance required, tough durable surface, professionally trimmed to play the ball and weather resistance to work in all conditions.
What is the best grass for golf courses?
Kikuyu Grass. Based on the name of a ethnic group in Kenya, Kikuyu is one of the mainstays of golf course grass types. With its soft complexion, bright green leafy colour, and ability to withstand the heat and humidity, it can work wonders for courses in Northern Australia. There is one pitfall: it is a fast-growing grass ...
What is creeping grass?
Creeping Bent Grass. Across the major golf courses in Australia, Creeping Bent Grass is the lawn type that is most commonly used. This is due to its fine textured turf (perfect for golf greens), dense carpet like feeling and bright green colour. A must have if you’re keen to showcase your course.
What is the most beautiful golf grass?
Bentgrass Lawns. Developed in Europe, this cool season grass type is considered the most beautiful of all golf turfs, due to its rich green colour and carpet texture. Will cost you a pretty penny down the line and requires a fair bit of maintenance.
What are the parts of a golf course?
Golf clubs have to consider all parts of the course including, the ‘teeing’ area, the ‘rough’, the ‘bunker’, the ‘out of bounds’ and the ‘green’ (where the hole is). With so many grass types available on the market, it can be confusing for people to choose the one that works for their course.
What are the factors that affect the maintenance of a golf course?
There are also factors like irrigation, air movement, affordability and location of the course itself . Golf clubs have to consider all parts of the course including, the ‘teeing’ area, the ‘rough’, the ‘bunker’, ...
Is winter grass a weed?
Even though considered a weed by many people, Wintergrass is great when managed properly, as it works in both hot and cold climates. You just need wet compact soils to ensure its growth, and will work well for all types of golf course fairways.
Why do golfers use aeration holes?
Aeration holes allow excess moisture to evaporate and promote gas exchange in the soil, result ing in stronger root systems and turf that is better able to tolerate golfer traffic. The addition of sand, both firms and smooths the green surface allowing for consistent roll and speed.
When to aerate turf?
SPRING. “The first thing that comes to mind as far as seasonal maintenance is aeration. Aeration is performed in late spring and early fall. Core aeration involves physically removing small soil cores from the turf.
Why are greens so susceptible to high temperatures?
Greens are the most susceptible to high temperatures because of the low mowing height. With so little biomass the plant cannot sustain the heavy injury that turf at higher mowing heights can withstand. Syringing implies a light application of water to the green surface in its entirety.
Why do we use pre-emergence herbicides?
Every spring we apply pre-emergent herbicides in combination with fertilizer to ensure high quality weed-free roughs and green surrounds. At this time we will also apply wetting agents to improve water holding capacity of soils to help ensure quality turf in areas where we are lacking in irrigation. Most of the chemical applications have to be made in conjunction with rain fall events to ensure the chemical makes its way into the soil.”
Why feed your lawn in the fall?
In the fall, your lawn is looking for the nutrients it needs to recover from summer damage while getting ready for its winter nap. Feeding now will strengthen roots and increase nitrogen storage for a healthy, green lawn next spring. Water is becoming an ever more precious resource and should be used responsibly.
What does Eric say about poorly kept courses?
A course with the resources to provide optimum playing conditions will show that. Courses that may appear to be poorly kept are most likely incredibly kept given the resources the superintendent has at their disposal."
When mowing your lawn, do you cut more than the top 1/3 of the leaf blade?
When mowing your lawn you never want to cut more than the top 1/3 of leaf blade in a single mowing. This reduces the stress on the plant and ensures you won’t scalp uneven areas of your lawn. Following these steps should ensure premium year-round lawn conditions.”. --.
What happens if you put a green straight into the fairway?
Greens that transition straight into the fairway or the surface drainage of the green is towards the front of the green will invariably result in a wet approach to the green and the front portion of the putting surface. Traffic movement on and around the green is a significant issue on high traffic golf courses.
What causes black layer on bentgrass greens?
Closed contours that prevent surface runoff or direct water to a particular location within the green will result in problems. The excess moisture causes black layer, provides a soft surface, encourages Poa annua (in bentgrass greens) and there is more damage from foot traffic.
How do I control weeds in my golf course?
If left uncontrolled, weed seeds can be tracked to other portions of a course by golfers, equipment tires, or other means and result in situations where control becomes more chal- lenging — i.e., tracking from roughs onto putting greens (Figure 2) . More- over, letting weeds deposit seed back into the soil will ensure that problems occur annually. As a result, preemer- gence herbicides that remain active in the soil are often the most effective annual weed controls, as they act on many weed seeds in soil rather than just the weeds that emerge and become established in turf. A new challenge facing many golf course superintendents is the evolution of weed biotypes with resistance to pre- and postemergence herbicides (Table 1). Since 2008, reports have steadily increased of annual bluegrass and goosegrass (Eleusine indica) evolving herbicide resistance. In 2015, cases of multiple resistance — i.e., survival after being treated with two different herbicides — surfaced in both annual bluegrass and goosegrass populations (Heap, 2015). In nearly all instances, herbicide resistance devel- oped when the same herbicide was applied over consecutive years without rotating to products with different mechanisms of action or implementing alternatives to herbicide treatment. Applying the same herbicide without rotation simply selects for weeds that are genetically capable of surviving that herbicide. Initially, the number of individuals genetically capable of surviving a herbicide treatment is quite small, but every year the same herbi- cide is applied, the worse the problem becomes until the majority of the remaining weed population consists of individuals genetically capable of surviving herbicide treatment. Resistance poses many challenges to effectively managing golf course weeds. First, when a weed population evolves resistance to a particular herbi- cide, all other herbicides employing the same mechanism of action are no longer effective. Take the acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, for example. If annual bluegrass evolves resistance to foramsulfuron (Revolver), none of the other ALS-inhibiting herbicides labeled for annual bluegrass control — e.g., Monument®, TranXit, Katana®, Velocity®, Certainty®, etc. — will be effective. In many cases, resistance to one herbicide mechanism of action necessitates the use of a different herbicide class that is more expensive or more prone to injuring desirable turf than the mechanism of action originally used. Knowledge of herbicide mecha- nisms of action is critical in building weed-management programs that rotate herbicides to manage resistance. The University of Tennessee (UT) has compiled several online reference materials to help superintendents improve their understanding of herbi- cide mechanisms of action. Also, UT
What are the challenges of managing golf course weeds?
Resistance poses many challenges to effectively managing golf course weeds. First, when a weed population evolves resistance to a particular herbi- cide, all other herbicides employing the same mechanism of action are no longer effective. Take the acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, for example.
What herbicides are used to kill goosegrass?
Turf must be dry at the time of application and the herbi- cide should be watered in immediately following treatment. Minimizing appli- cation overlap and treating when air temperatures are below 80 degrees Fahrenheit also are helpful tips. On bermudagrass greens, the only labeled option for selective-herbicide control of goosegrass is foramsulfuron (Revolver®). Diclofop (Illoxan ) had been an option to control nontillering goosegrass plants on bermudagrass greens, but it is no longer being manu- factured. Superintendents attempting to control goosegrass with either foramsulfuron or diclofop should be aware that resistance to both mecha- nisms of action has been observed following the repeated use of either product without rotation. Topramezone (Pylex™) is labeled for goosegrass control in creeping bentgrass at 0.25 fluid ounce per acre with a methylated seed oil surfactant. However, applying topramezone to putting greens is not recommended due to the potential for undesirable injury to creeping bentgrass. The best option for goosegrass control on either bermudagrass or creeping bentgrass putting greens is to diligently scout for infestations and mechanically remove goosegrass before weed populations become problematic. Maintenance teams can scout for newly germinated goose- grass seedlings when mowing putting surfaces or fixing ball marks.
How to control Bermudagrass?
A common question from golf course superintendents is how to control hybrid bermudagrass encroachment from collars into creeping bent grass (Agrostis stolonifera) or ultradwarf bermudagrass greens. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to this problem. Realistically, bermudagrass encroachment is managed over time using several practices rather than completely eradicated or controlled with a single technique. On creeping bentgrass greens, siduron (Tupersan®) is labeled for bermudagrass encroach- ment at rates up to 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. Usually, siduron is applied as an 8- to 12-inch band from the edge of the collar into the putting surface. Sequential applications are required on four- to five-week intervals for long- term success. Best results occur when bermudagrass is green but not aggres- sively growing — i.e., spring and fall for most areas. On warm-season putting surfaces, many choose to physically edge the interface between the putting surface and collar using a mechanical edger or have maintenance staff remove encroaching stolons by hand (Figures 3 and 4).
What weeds are in Bermuda grass?
Another weed that has become increasingly problematic in bermuda- grass putting greens is green — aka perennial — kyllinga (Kyllinga brevifolia). Green kyllinga has a similar appear- ance to yellow and purple nutsedge, but it can persist and produce flowers at mowing heights less than 0.25 inch.
When to apply a postemer- gence herbicide?
However, postemer- gence herbicide applications are only recommended during mild conditions in spring and fall. Weed control in naturalized areas established with warm-season grasses can be more difficult as few herbicides are labeled for pre- or postemergence weed control in these systems. Excep- tions to this include imazapic (Plateau®) and sulfosulfuron (Certainty®). Imazapic has specific label directions for use on big bluestem, little bluestem,
What is the name of the seed on the sole of a golfer's shoe?
Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) seed on the sole of a golfer’s shoe. Photo courtesy of Robert Raley, M.S. has developed an online tool to help superintendents develop herbicide programs that rotate mechanisms of action to manage resistance when controlling annual bluegrass.
What to use for crabgrass in the fall?
Post-emergent applications definitely will be required, Dowling says, and “products such as quinclorac, fenoxaprop-ethyl and sulfonyl ureas can be used, depending on the species of desirable grasses present.”
What is the troublesome weed that spreads?
The troublesome weed forms like a mat. As it spreads, it competes with, and ultimately displaces, Bermudagrass. In the end, you’re left with large patches of signalgrass that keep growing up to 10 feet in diameter and are hard to kill, Leon says.
Why do superintendents rotate herbicides?
Superintendents can rotate their herbicides from year to year, most importantly. Rotating will lessen the chances of resistance to certain chemistries.
What products will give superintendents good white clover control?
Ample products will give superintendents good white clover control, he says, especially MCPP or triclopyr.
When to treat tropical signalgrass?
In treating for tropical signalgrass in the spring or summer, superintendents may see effective control at first, but if it survives, “conditions are favorable for the plant to keep growing,” Leon says. If you treat in the fall and the plant tissue survives and continues to grow, meanwhile, it will be met by cooler temperatures and a less favorable growing environment, Leon says.
Is it a problem to squash annual bluegrass?
So it’s not an unknown problem, nor is it a minor one. The prolific seed producer is building resistance to active ingredients in commonly used pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, removing important tools from a superintendent’s Poa arsenal one by one.
Is weed pressure normal in South Carolina?
Bert McCarty, Ph.D., professor of turfgrass science at Clemson University in South Carolina, says weed pressure throughout his area likely will be normal this fall. However, in the face of herbicide resistance, turf managers are having a harder time controlling annual bluegrass.
Can we play golf in the 1920s?
Yes, it is possible. We had very few or no synthetic chemicals back then. The golfers' perception of the golf courses was much different. I think we can achieve the same playing conditions we have now but with the environmental impact of the 1920s, and we'll do it with technology. Let's say that golf in Old Tom Morris' day was about as natural as could possibly be. There was no environmental impact. So we'll give that a score of 100 out of 100. In the 1920s it might have been at 80. In the 1950s and the 1960s, it might have been at about the 40 level. Now we're heading back up again. We're at the 70 or 75 level now, and I think we'll get back up to that 80 or 90.
Does grass come back to life after being overseeded?
No. It's dormant. It'll heal. And dormant grass that is not overseeded will come back to life in the spring faster than grass that has been overseeded -- overseeding retards the re-establishment of the natural grasses.
Can you test a green when you remove sand?
It’s important to remember that in removing the sand or soil, you are not testing the condition of the green. So it’s probably best that if you’re going to remove the sand by all means by do it, but do it carefully. Rule 13.13 says: e. No Deliberate Testing of Greens.
Can you play putting greens on a putting green?
The answer is yes. Rule 13.1c states that: c. Improvements Allowed on Putting Green. During a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, a player may take these two actions on the putting green, no matter whether the ball is on or off the putting green: (1) Removal of Sand and Loose Soil. Sand and loose soil on the putting green (but not ...