what is the grass expert on a golf course called

What kind of grass is used on golf courses?

Bermudagrass: Name for a family of warm-season turfgrasses commonly used on golf courses in warm, tropical climates. Most common in the southern United States. Tifsport, Tifeagle and Tifdwarf are some of the names of common varieties.

Why is grass so important on a golf course?

Golf courses give a lot of us the ambiance to relax, play the game, and have a swell time, even with friends and family. Apart from a vast expanse of land, of course, the grass is the next biggest and arguably most important part of a golf course.

Who is the author of the glossary of golf terms?

Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Our glossary of golf course terms is one part of our larger Glossary of Golf Terms.

What is the best grass to put on the rough?

Bluegrass and ryegrass are suitable for the rough because they do well in longer lengths. The operators of most modern-day courses prefer bentgrass or Bermuda grass on the greens.

What do you call grass on a golf course?

Commonly referred to as "turf grass," the grasses used on golf courses are traditionally tough, fast-repairing grasses that can withstand plenty of traffic.

What is a degree in grass called?

Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science. Maximize your career potential in any turfgrass-related field with science-based study of plants and soils, along with critical business, management, and communications skills.

Is a turf management degree worth it?

The demand for turf science graduates who are trained in soil science, pest control, irrigation, weed control and sport field design is steady. Because of the career oriented nature of the discipline, many degree programs include internships at sporting fields, country club styled golf courses and parks.

How do you manage turf?

Maintenance of grass courts is typically split into the following areas:Mowing, 6 to 8 mm.Fertilisers.Scarification: mechanically raising the surface turf to prevent compaction.Rolling. ... Aeration. ... Seeding of worn areas after the season has ended.Top dressing at the end of the season to maintain turf quality.

What does turfgrass mean?

Turfgrasses are narrow-leaved grass species that form a uniform, long-lived ground cover that can tolerate traffic and low mowing heights (usually two inches or below). Only a few grass species produce acceptable turf in the northern U.S. These grasses are referred to as the cool-season turfgrasses.

What is horticulture turf management?

The Horticulture Turfgrass Management program prepares students for employment opportunities within the turfgrass management industry. Students learn basic theory in the classroom and apply that theory in outdoor laboratories.

What do turfgrass managers do?

As a turf manager, your responsibilities are to repair damage, restore the field, regulate pest control, and create a safe space for athletes to play. Other duties include creating a schedule for field use and overseeing a maintenance crew, as well as determining if any changes must be made to the field.

What are some advantages of working in turf management?

If you have an undying love of sports, working behind the scenes in sports turf management can offer a fulfilling career path....Five Reasons Why You Should Consider a Career as a Sports Turf Manager Job security. ... Growth opportunities. ... Applied sports knowledge. ... Leadership roles.

Is turfgrass a row crop?

“Turfgrass is unique – unlike traditional crops which fertilize to maximize growth and yield – turf is a permanent installation. There's no crop rotation so managers have to rely on plant resistance and cultivar selection even more than in traditional row crops,” said Charles Peacock, NC State turfgrass professor.

How are turf fields maintained?

THERE ARE 4 BASIC MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS THAT ALL FIELDTURF FIELDS REQUIRE ACCORDING TO OUR RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. WE SIMPLY CALL IT BARS BRUSHING, AERATING, RAKING AND SWEEPING. Rotating tines are designed to penetrate and loosen the infill to avoid minor compaction.

What is the name of the grass that runs through a golf course?

Bermudagrasses have thicker blades than bentgrass, resulting in a grainier appearance to putting surfaces. Burn: A creek, stream or small river that runs through a golf course; the term is most common in Great Britain.

What grasses are used in golf courses?

Some examples of cool-season grasses cited by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America include colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and tall fescue.

What is an alternate fairway?

Alternate Fairway: A second fairway on the same golf hole that gives golfers the option to play to one fairway or the other.

What is a water hole in golf?

Water Hole: Any hole on a golf course that includes a water hazard on or alongside the hole (in a position where the water can come into play).

What is a cape hole?

Cape Hole: Today the term typically refers to a hole on a golf course that plays around a large, lateral hazard, and presents a risk-reward tee shot - the option of crossing part of that hazard (or playing around it). The fairway on a cape hole gently curves around the hazard, as opposed to the sharper dogleg style of hole.

What does "course" mean in golf?

Course: The Rules of Golf define the "course" as "the entire area in which play is permitted." For a tour of common features on golf courses, see Meet the Golf Course .

What is cool season grass?

Cool-Season Grasses: Exactly what the name implies: Varieties of grass that grow best in cooler conditions, as opposed to hotter climates. Golf courses in cooler regions are likely to be turfed with a cool-season grass. And golf courses in warmer locales might use a cool-season grass during winter as an overseed.

What type of grass is used in golf courses?

1. Bermuda Grass for Golf Course. It is befitting to mention this turf grass type first as it one of the most popular grasses used in golf courses. Bermuda is a warm-season grass and, as such, is used majorly in warm areas that typically reach temperatures unconducive for several kinds of grass.

What is golf course grass?

Golf course grass is commonly known as turf grass, and the grass types used differ from region to region by their ability to withstand both cold and heat. Turf grass differs from the regular lawn grass you may find in homes. Although some grasses used in home lawns can be used in golf courses.

Why does turf grass need to be tall?

Here are the reasons why. Turf grasses need to withstand the cold or heat prevalent in the region: one of the major characteristics your turf grass needs to have is to withstand the prevalent temperature in that region. Be it cold or heat. It needs to stand still tall when this temperature hits.

What is fescue grass?

Fescue grass is a cool-season grass that can withstand colder temperatures and some degree of heat. This makes it an attractive golf course grass for moderate regions experiencing both worlds. Fescue grass can also be used on fairways and has a good feel and look to it.

What is the best grass for golf?

5. Zoysia Grass for Golf Course. Zoysia is a native Asian grass but has been in the US for more than a century and has become a popular golf course grass in that time. It is a warm-season grass best suited to warmer climes. This is a creeping heat and drought tolerant grass that will save you a lot on irrigation.

Why is fescue placed in unmowed areas of the golf course?

Fescue is also placed in unmowed areas of the golf course because of its ability to grow quickly.

Where is bentgrass grown?

Bentgrass is more commonly grown on fairways on golf courses. It can withstand heavy traffic because it grows thick.

What grass is used in golf courses?

However, newer courses built in northern climates after 1980 often use creeping bentgrass in the fairways because it tolerates low cuttings. Some courses, mainly in southern climates, also use zoysiagrass, which can tolerate high heat and drought.

What kind of grass is used on golf fairways?

The kinds of grasses vary the greatest on golf course fairways. Most courses older than 25 years have perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass fairways. These are low maintenance and durable grasses that hold up in many kinds of climates, and can withstand a lot of play.

What grass is on the fairways?

Grass just off the fairways on most courses is either Kentucky bluegrass or perennial rye. These are hardy grasses that can thrive in most climates, and do well when they grow a bit longer. Most of the rough on courses often is as much as one-half inch or more longer than the the grass on fairways. Bluegrass and ryegrass are suitable for ...

Where did the grass grow in golf?

The grass was whatever grew naturally in the links' sandy soil along Scotland's coast. But today, the kind of grass is a key part of the game.

Can you cut Bermuda grass in northern climates?

You can cut both extremely low without stressing the plant, and create a smooth putting surface. Many older courses still have ryegrass or poa annua (annual bluegrass) on the greens.

1. Bermuda

When you hear top players talking about grain, they’re often talking about Bermuda. They’re not wrong. A durable, drought-tolerant, warm-season turf that is prevalent across the South, Bermuda can indeed get grainy. But that trait is tempered when the grass is tightly mown, the way that Tour pros like it.

2. Bentgrass

Unlike your grandparents, bentgrass has little interest in retiring to Florida. It’s a cool-season grass, with thin blades that can be mown closely. Compared to Bermuda, bentgrass has little grain. As with other turf types, it can play differently depending on the region and time of year.

4. Zoysia

If zoysia were a teenager, you might compliment it for its posture. It stands up straight, yielding sweet lies in the fairway. “The ball is teed up so nicely for you, it almost feels like cheating,” Westacott says.

5. Poa annua

Golfers love excuses, and poa often serves as scapegoat. An alternate logo for the PGA Tour could be a player pointing in frustration at a missed putt, blaming his poor stroke on this cool-season grass. The bad rap has roots in reality. Poa is fast-growing, and the seedheads it produces can lead to late-day bumpiness on the greens.