Types of Grass Used on Professional Golf Greens
← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Course Management & Strategy
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Quick Answer
- Bentgrass and Bermuda grass are the undisputed champions for professional golf greens.
- The perfect choice hinges on your local climate, the budget for maintenance, and the desired speed and firmness of the putting surface.
- For warmer climates, hybrid Bermudas offer a sweet spot of resilience and excellent playability.
For warmer climates, hybrid Bermudas offer a sweet spot of resilience and excellent playability. If you’re looking to establish this type of turf, consider high-quality bermuda grass seeds to ensure the best results.
- Fast Growing Grass Seed: Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Sun & Shade grows grass 2X faster than seed alone (when applied at the new lawn rate, subject to proper care)
- Sun and Shade Grass: Revolutionary mix of grass seed and fertilizer grows full, green grass in just weeks
- Usage: This grass seed mix is for overseeding large problem areas in your lawn and establishing new grass
- Application: Apply this lawn care product in the spring or fall when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F
- Coverage: One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Rapid Grass Sun & Shade Mix has a new lawn coverage of 839 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 2,800 sq. ft.
Who This Is For
- Golf course superintendents and groundskeepers who live and breathe turf.
- Serious golfers who geek out on course conditions and how they affect the game.
- Anyone interested in the science of turf management and what makes a great green.
What Kind of Grass is Used on Golf Greens?
- Know your climate zone. This is non-negotiable. You gotta pick a grass that thrives in your neck of the woods, not just survives.
- Check mowing height tolerance. Pro greens are cut super short, like, really short. Make sure the grass can handle that stress and still look good.
- Assess disease and pest resistance. Some grasses are magnets for trouble. You want something that can fight off the common turf ailments.
The Science Behind Pristine Golf Greens: What Kind of Grass is Used?
Step-by-Step Plan for Selecting Golf Greens Grass
1. Research regional climate suitability.
- What to look for: Dig into average high and low temperatures throughout the year, typical rainfall patterns, and the frequency and intensity of frost or freezes. Understand your USDA hardiness zone.
- Mistake to avoid: Falling in love with a grass type you saw on a PGA tour event in a completely different climate. That beautiful Bentgrass might be a nightmare in Arizona.
2. Identify desired playing characteristics.
- What to look for: Consider how quickly you want the greens to roll, how firm you need the surface to be for approach shots, and the ideal mowing height for optimal speed and ball interaction. Do you want a tight, fast surface or something a bit more forgiving?
- Mistake to avoid: Prioritizing pure aesthetics or a specific look over how the ball actually performs. A visually stunning green that plays poorly is just a pretty headache.
3. Evaluate maintenance requirements.
- What to look for: Understand the specific mowing frequency, fertilization needs (type and schedule), irrigation demands, and susceptibility to common turf diseases and pests for each potential grass type. Some grasses are divas.
- Mistake to avoid: Underestimating the labor, equipment, and financial resources required. High-maintenance grasses can quickly drain a budget and a superintendent’s sanity.
4. Consider disease and pest resistance.
- What to look for: Research which grasses have natural defenses against prevalent local diseases like dollar spot, brown patch, or fairy ring, and which are less attractive to common turf pests like grubs or chinch bugs.
- Mistake to avoid: Selecting a grass that is known to be highly susceptible to diseases or pests common in your area. This leads to constant, expensive, and often losing battles.
5. Check wear tolerance and recovery.
- What to look for: How well does the grass bounce back from the inevitable divots, ball marks, and heavy foot traffic that occur on a golf course? Some grasses recover faster than others.
- Mistake to avoid: Choosing a grass that looks great but gets easily damaged and takes a long time to recover, leading to bare spots and inconsistent play.
6. Analyze stolon and rhizome production (for Bermudagrass).
- What to look for: Bermudagrass spreads via stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (underground stems). Good production means faster recovery from damage and better turf density.
- Mistake to avoid: Selecting a Bermudagrass variety with poor spreading habits, which will result in slower healing of divots and a thinner playing surface.
7. Evaluate cold tolerance (for Bentgrass and cool-season grasses).
- What to look for: For cooler climates, assess how well the grass withstands winter conditions, including freezing temperatures and snow cover, without significant damage or prolonged dormancy.
- Mistake to avoid: Planting a cool-season grass that struggles with winterkill, leading to costly re-sodding or reseeding efforts every spring.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Golf Greens Grass
- Choosing grass based on appearance only — Why it matters: A grass might look stunning in a controlled environment or a different climate, but it could fail miserably under the stresses of golf play and your specific environmental conditions. It’s like picking a sports car for off-roading. — Fix: Always prioritize performance, resilience, and climate suitability over purely aesthetic appeal. Get unbiased opinions from other superintendents in similar regions.
- Underestimating maintenance needs — Why it matters: High-maintenance grasses demand more frequent mowing, specialized fertilization, aggressive pest and disease control, and skilled labor. Failing to meet these needs results in poor turf quality, increased disease outbreaks, and escalating costs. — Fix: Conduct thorough research into the specific maintenance protocols for any grass you consider. Develop a realistic budget and staffing plan before making a decision.
- Ignoring climate suitability — Why it matters: This is the cardinal sin. Planting a grass that isn’t suited to your region’s temperature extremes, rainfall, or soil conditions is a recipe for disaster. It will struggle to thrive, leading to dormancy, increased susceptibility to disease, or outright death. — Fix: Select grass varieties that are specifically recommended and proven to perform well in your geographic location and climate zone. Consult local university extension services for guidance.
- Mowing too low, too soon, or incorrectly — Why it matters: For new sod or seed, mowing too low before the turf is established stresses the grass, weakens its root system, and makes it vulnerable to weeds, pests, and disease. Incorrect mowing practices on established greens can also damage the grass blades and affect ball roll. — Fix: Strictly adhere to the recommended mowing heights and schedules for the specific grass type and its stage of growth. Invest in high-quality reel mowers and ensure they are properly maintained and set.
- Failing to consider soil type and drainage — Why it matters: Different grasses have varying preferences for soil pH, texture, and drainage. Planting the wrong grass in unsuitable soil conditions will lead to poor growth, nutrient deficiencies, and increased susceptibility to root diseases. — Fix: Get a soil test done to understand your soil’s composition, pH, and nutrient levels. Ensure the chosen grass is compatible with your existing soil or plan for necessary amendments and drainage improvements.
- Over-reliance on herbicides or pesticides — Why it matters: While sometimes necessary, relying too heavily on chemical controls can mask underlying turf health issues and lead to resistance in weeds and pests. It also increases costs and environmental impact. — Fix: Implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that focuses on prevention, cultural practices, and biological controls first, using chemicals only when necessary and strategically. Healthy turf is the best defense.
- Not accounting for golfer traffic and playability — Why it matters: A golf green must withstand constant traffic from players, carts (where allowed), and maintenance equipment. The grass needs to be resilient enough to recover from divots and ball marks quickly to maintain a consistent playing surface. — Fix: Choose grasses known for their durability and rapid recovery. Implement proper aeration, topdressing, and divot repair programs to support playability.
FAQ
- What is the most common grass type for golf greens in the US?
Bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) is the dominant choice for cool-season climates, prized for its ability to be mowed extremely low for fast, smooth greens. In warmer regions, various types of Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), especially hybrid varieties, are the go-to for their heat tolerance and resilience.
In warmer regions, various types of Bermudagrass are the go-to for their heat tolerance and resilience. For a comprehensive solution that caters to specific needs, a well-formulated golf green seed mix can be an excellent choice.
- EXCEPTIONAL WEAR TOLERANCE FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS: Our PC2.0 (Penncross) Creeping Bentgrass seed is expertly crafted for durability and high wear tolerance, making it a prime choice for high-traffic areas such as putting greens, fairways, and golf tees. With its dense, upright growth, this bentgrass variety competes fiercely against Poa annua, ensuring your backyard remain pristine.
- ADAPTABLE TO VARIOUS CLIMATES & SOIL CONDITIONS: PC2.0 Bentgrass thrives across diverse USDA zones (4-10), easily adapting to various climates and soil types, including sandy and well-drained clay soils. Ideal for golf courses or home lawns, this grass seed is suitable for creating lush green grass in warmer regions like Florida as well as cooler climates.
- THRIVES IN SANDY & CLAY SOILS: Unlike many grasses, Penncross Creeping Bentgrass performs exceptionally well on sandy soils and tolerates clay soils when properly drained, making it versatile across different landscapes. This seed is optimal for sandy soil lawns, establishing a vibrant green grass cover that endures over time.
- LOW NUTRIENT & MOWING REQUIREMENTS: PC2.0 Creeping Bentgrass requires only 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually, helping to minimize nutrient needs while ensuring a lush, green lawn. With a recommended mowing height for putting greens between 3/16 and 5/16 inch, this no-mow grass seed option is flexible for both professional and DIY lawn projects.
- IDEAL FOR DIY HOME PUTTING GREENS: Homeowners can easily create a professional-grade putting green turf with our PC2.0 Penncross Bentgrass. Its fine texture and dense growth make it a top choice for backyard putting greens, transforming lawns into lush, grass greens surfaces with ease. For best results, sow 1-2 pounds per 1,000 square feet for an even, year-round green lawn.
- How does climate affect the choice of grass for golf greens?
Climate is the single biggest factor. Cool-season grasses like Bentgrass, Fescues, and Ryegrasses thrive in moderate temperatures and can tolerate cooler winters but may struggle in extreme heat. Warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass love the heat and humidity but go dormant and turn brown in freezing temperatures. You need a grass that matches your seasonal weather patterns.
- What are the advantages of Bentgrass for golf greens?
Bentgrass is renowned for its fine texture, allowing it to be mowed incredibly low, creating the fast, true-rolling surfaces golfers crave. It also has good recuperative potential, meaning it can recover from divots and ball marks reasonably well, and it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
- What are the benefits of using Bermudagrass on golf greens?
Bermudagrass is a workhorse in warmer climates. It’s incredibly heat-tolerant, recovers quickly from damage due to its aggressive rhizomatous and stoloniferous growth, and can be mowed very low. Hybrid Bermudas, in particular, offer a dense, smooth putting surface.
- Are there other grass types used on golf courses besides greens?
Absolutely. Fairways often use more durable grasses that can withstand more traffic and are easier to maintain, such as Bentgrass, Bermudagrass, Fescues, or Ryegrass, depending on the climate. Roughs might use even tougher, lower-maintenance grasses like Tall Fescue or native grasses to penalize errant shots.
- What is overseeding, and why is it done on golf greens?
Overseeding is the process of introducing new seed into an existing turf stand. On golf greens, it’s often done to improve turf density, fill in thin areas, enhance color, or introduce a grass with desirable temporary characteristics (like Annual Ryegrass in winter for cool-season greens to maintain green color and playability). It’s a common practice, especially in transition zones where temperatures fluctuate.
- How important is turf density for golf greens?
Turf density is crucial for playability. A dense stand of grass provides a firm surface that supports the ball, preventing it from sinking too deeply into the turf. It also helps the ball roll truer and reduces the impact of divots and ball marks, contributing to a consistent and enjoyable putting experience.