There are over 8000 different types of grass on our globe, and they play a crucial function in our ecology by absorbing a substantial portion of rainwater, preventing erosion, and, most importantly, purifying the air we breathe among other things. Every type of grass has its own unique characteristics. That is why golf course owners do not make uneducated guesses about the sorts of grass they require.
With thorough knowledge of the various types of grasses that suit the best golf courses, one needs to pick the best type of golf grass to use and understand that there are warm and cool-season grasses. Although most grasses are adaptive, it is important to know how to care for them to ensure they perform best.
This post intends to give you ample knowledge of the various types of grass and their reaction to the changing climates over time. These grasses are categorized mainly into warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses.
Warm Seasonal Grasses
1. Bahia Grass
Bahia grass is a relatively sustainable turfgrass since it thrives in dry places and requires little fertilizer once established. It has a considerably deeper root structure than other lawn turf species, and it has good pest and fungal disease resistance. As a result, in many parts of the Southeast, Bahia grass is primarily utilized for low-maintenance lawns, pastures, and roadside areas. New Bahia grasses for golf course use have resulted from turfgrass breeding activities. The tall, unsightly seed heads of Bahia grass have been a major deterrent to its use on golf courses, one well-known golf course that uses Bahia grass is the Country Club of Mobile Alabama.
2. Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is a well-known and well-tested golf course grass that is commonly found in warm-weather golf destinations like Georgia, California, and Florida. In fact, Florida can offer you some of the best golf courses and they use a variety of grass in their golf clubs. This type of grass is heat resistant, drought-resistant, and can be mowed short.
Because of its prevalence on golf courses and playing fields in the South, as well as its ability to survive high temperatures, high humidity, and drought-like circumstances, Bermuda grass is often referred to as “The Sports Grass of the South.” Temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit will almost certainly damage the stem.
Bermuda grass leaves, in combination with this grass’ affinity for humid climates, limit its range in the United States to the southeast. It is used on Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass course Florida.
3. St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass, commonly known as buffalo turf in Australia or so-called buffalo grass in South Africa is tropical and subtropical lawn grass. It’s a medium- to high-maintenance grass that spreads out like sod and crowds out most weeds and other grasses.
This grass is low care and shade tolerant, making it a popular choice in more tropical settings like its home state of Florida. It is the only warm-season plant that can flourish in the shade of trees, bushes, and buildings, out of all the species we’ve studied.
4. Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is a genus of creeping grasses found throughout much of Southeast Asia and Australia, as well as several Pacific islands. Zoysia grass is robust grass that can survive heat, drought, shade, traffic, and disease. These species are a common choice for golf course fairways and teeing areas.
In times of unpredictable climate change, adaptable grass comes in handy. That’s why Zoysia grass is so popular on golf courses. That is why Bellerive Country Club golf course has its new grass in Town and Country, Missouri, near St. Louis, in the central United States.
Cold Seasonal Grasses
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
One cold seasonal grass is Poa pratensis, also known as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth meadow-grass, or common meadow-grass, is a perennial grass that is native to almost all of Europe, North Asia, and the Algerian and Moroccan mountains. Although the species is found throughout the United States’ cool and humid regions, it is not native to the continent.
Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that, regardless of climate, is commonly used just off fairways on many golf courses. Kentucky bluegrass is extremely hardy and can grow in a variety of conditions. It requires little care, is long-lasting, and has a high capacity for self-repair, allowing it to tolerate a lot of use. When left to grow longer, Kentucky bluegrass makes a superb choice for roughs, hazards, and fairways.
Its rich color and bounce make it ideal for both golf courses and personal lawns, this grass requires a lot of attention to appear at its finest, but the advantages might be well worth it. Kentucky bluegrass may be a good fit for you depending on your grass-growing location and lawn-care goals.
2. Bent Grass
Bent grass is one of the most common grasses found on golf courses. It comes in various kinds and is most usually seen in cool summer and coastal areas. It’s short, even, and flat, which makes it ideal for putting greens and golf courses. Its thick, mat-like appearance, which can be mowed to a lower height to improve the playing experience, is maybe the main reason for its popularity. However, this type of grass cannot tolerate high temperatures. As a result, it can be found in the Pacific Northwest, and a few Midwestern states.
This grass performs best in the evening and at night when it is under the least amount of stress. You’ve probably seen how Bent grass acts on a golf course if you’ve visited Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio.
This grass is great for golf course greens and tees because it can handle extremely low mowing heights. It is a highly adaptable plant that can thrive in several climates.
3. Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is also a cold season grass which is a wonderful choice for high-traffic lawns because of its course, robust blades, and strong roots. It is not only hardy in the face of heavy foot activity, but it also adapts to shifting temperatures and water availability. It’s one of the most drought-tolerant turf grass kinds available.
Tall fescue is prized for its capacity to adapt to a variety of conditions and its resistance to cold, heat, drought, and shadow. Tall fescue’s preferred growing zones provide outstanding opportunities for increasing grass resilience and durability. Tall Fescue, a prominent cool-season species, is more resistant to heat and drought than any other cool-season cultivar. Its unique lines and boat-shaped tip might help you recognize it apart from its Ryegrass and Bluegrass cousins.
To summarize, have in mind that the type of grass used on the golf course has a significant impact on the golfing experience. Choosing the proper turf takes a lot of time and consideration. On golf courses, there are many different types of grass (turf grass), each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
However, before picking the first grass species that comes to mind, consider the temperature of the area and where it will be planted (fairway, greens, or tee box). When selecting the best golf grass, consider how quickly it grows, how much traffic it can withstand, and, most significantly, how quickly it self-repairs.