Managing Green Speed. John C. Sorochan, Ph.D. University of Tennessee

Transcription

1 Managing Green Speed John C. Sorochan, Ph.D. University of Tennessee

2 350cm 300cm 260cm 215cm 5.0mm 4.6mm 3.9mm 3.2mm 2.4mm g N/M 2 This figure was put together from USGA data representing responses in management practices at "high level clubs" in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the USGA green section. Data shows varying nitrogen fertility practices and a trend for lower mowing heights. Despite fluctuations in annual nitrogen rates, green speeds have continued to increase since 1970.

3 The Top 10 Changes in Golf Course Management in the past 25 Years Thomas A. Nikolai, Ph.D. Michigan State University

4 The question? Please rank the top 10 changes that have improved the game of golf at your facility (s)* within the past 25 years

5 The question? Participants had 30 categories to choose from and were asked to make comments if they so wished 300 individuals made comments about there choices or choices they felt were missing on the survey

6 Survey Results

7 The Top 10 Changes in Golf Course Management in the past 25 Years 10. Plant Breeding/New Cultivars 9. Instant Communication 8. Wetting Agent Advancements 7. Green Mower Improvements 6. Green Speed Management

8 The Top 10 Changes in Golf Course Management in the past 25 Years 5. Sand topdressing Equipment & Knowledge of Rates & Timing. 4. Aerification Improvements 3. Lightweight Green Rolling 2. Improvements in Knowledge & Use of PGR s 1. Irrigation Technology

9 Rolling From May until October each green should be rolled daily with a light roller W.J. Travis, Practical Golf

10 Mowing

11 there are greens on which the rabbits are the chief, and almost the only, greenkeepers. The rabbits crop the grass short and produce an admirable quality of springy turf. I do not suppose any other greens are kept up to an equal degree of excellence with so little expense in wages of greenkeepers as these, and all because the rabbits do so much of the work, without payment [Hutchinson, 1906].

12 Green Rolling

13 Photo courtesy of the O.J. Noer Foundation

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15 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS

16 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation

17 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction

18 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction

19 Dr. Nikolai, You seem to have done quite a bit of research regarding rollers and dollar spot. Have you or are you aware of anyone who is looking into rolling and moss control? As a golf course superintendent I have seen over the past few years with aggressive rolling practices (daily) that my silvery thread moss populations on my Poa annua putting greens has been on the decline. I have prepared a blog about my theories here: penderharbourgolf.blogspot.com/2011/12/another-look-at-moss-on-putting-greens.html if you are interested. I think that it would be beneficial for some research institution to conduct studies to see if rolling does in fact reduce moss populations on putting greens and if so how often and at what times of the year are most effective. The reason I have sent this to you is that you are the Dr. Greenspeed! Thanks for your time, -- Jason Haines,Superintendent, Pender Harbour Golf Club

20 Hey Thom, Thanks for showing interest. You can quote me all you want. I think that the moss is being suppressed from the roller due to wear and not so much increased turf density. The course in the first picture has much more dense turf than me and about 200x more moss! I recently sprayed my greens for moss in the spring so there is really nothing to observe on my greens sadly. Even before I sprayed my greens I was noticing a decline in the moss and this other course with younger putting greens had significantly more moss. I have Poa annua greens as does the course in the first picture of my blog. I roll daily from April-October and cut every other day. The last 2 years I have used an old Woodbay Greensiron I just purchased a brand new Truturf roller for next season. The course in the first picture doesn't roll regularly and when he does he uses a pull behind heavyweight roller. I don't think that his rolling has any effect on the moss. I also think that my rolling techniques might have some effect but potentially not the greatest effect that it could. I think it would be neat to compare lightweight vs heavyweight and on different frequencies. I will talk to the superintendent there to see how often he cuts his clean up cuts on his greens. He uses a toro 3100 triplex to cut them. I don't have the numbers on what kind of ground pressure this unit will produce on the tires while the cutting units are on the ground. I know that my roller has about 3.5-4psi and my old roller had about 4-5 psi. I went back to the mossy course yesterday to check out some of my traffic patter theories and in almost every case they were correct. It is really neat to see such a large moss population and such a clear and defined infestation. I plan on going back to the course to take pics of all the greens comparing the mossy areas to traffic patterns but that will probably have to wait until next week. It really helps that the moss has been sprayed with Kocide and is a nice dark black colour. Anyways I'll send you a link to my pictures when I get them up on the net some time next week. Thanks again, Jason Haines, Superintendent, Pender Harbour Golf Club

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22 I have rolled daily for two years and have only seen positive results. Healthier better quality putting surfaces. Less labor and wear and tear on my greens mower and less moss and dollar spot.

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24 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot

25 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot 6. HOC can be raised and green speeds retained resulting in an increase in wear tolerance and a decrease in brown patch and anthracnose.

26 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot 6. HOC can be raised and green speeds retained resulting in an increase in wear tolerance and a decrease in brown patch and anthracnose. 5. Decreased cutworm activity

27 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot 6. HOC can be raised and green speeds retained resulting in an increase in wear tolerance and a decrease in brown patch and anthracnose. 5. Decreased cutworm activity 4. Better topdressing incorporation

28 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot 6. HOC can be raised and green speeds retained resulting in an increase in wear tolerance and a decrease in brown patch and anthracnose. 5. Decreased cutworm activity 4. Better topdressing incorporation 3. Decreased dollar spot

29 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot 6. HOC can be raised and green speeds retained resulting in an increase in wear tolerance and a decrease in brown patch and anthracnose. 5. Decreased cutworm activity 4. Better topdressing incorporation 3. Decreased dollar spot 2. It s the Economy Stupid

30 TOP 10 REASONS TO ROLL GOLF GREENS 10. Seed bed preparation 9. Broadleaf weed/moss reduction 8. Algae reduction 7. Decreased localized dry spot 6. HOC can be raised and green speeds retained resulting in an increase in wear tolerance and a decrease in brown patch and anthracnose. 5. Decreased cutworm activity 4. Better topdressing incorporation 3. Decreased dollar spot 2. It s the Economy Stupid 1. Increased customer satisfaction

31 Season Average Green Speed Gain Day Rolled Check Double cut (daily) +28 cm +25 cm True Surface +33 cm +36 cm Smithco +38 cm +41 cm Salsco +41 cm +38 cm Speed Roller +51 cm +51 cm True Turf +41 cm +43 cm

32 Season Average drop in Green Speed Day after Rolling 2002 >3 cm 2003 >2 cm Check 3 mm Double cut (daily) -5 cm +3 cm True Surface -28 cm -15 cm Smithco -25 cm -15 cm Salsco -25 cm -15 cm Speed Roller -33 cm -28 cm True Turf -33 cm -20 cm

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34 Frequency & Weight Frequent rolling with light rollers, 90 cm or so in width, and weighing a hundredweight to a hundredweight and a half is undoubtedly beneficial, but the excessive use of the heavy roller used to be one of the commonest faults in green keeping. H.G. Hutchinson, Golf Greens & Greens- Keeping

35 Will History Repeat?

36 Managing Warm Season Putting Greens

37 Outline Introduction Field Studies Conclusions

38 Warm-season putting greens

39 Warm season grasses

40 Warm season grasses Bermudagrass introduced in shipping containers from Africa and India in early 1800s C 4 photosynthetic pathway Greater heat and drought tolerance than C 3 s Greater photosynthetic efficiency

41 Warm season grasses Optimal growth at 95 to 100 F (35 to 38 C) (Duble, 1996) Common variety used in early years Poor Texture Poor Density Rhizomatous and stoloniferous Recuperative ability Forms dense turf

42 Warm season grasses Tifgreen (328) C. dactylon from Charlotte CC C. transvaalensis from East Lake CC Higher shoot density than common bermudagrass Tolerated ~6mm HOC popular at the time

43 Dwarf bermudagrass Mutants of existing varieties Slower vertical leaf extension Slower lateral stem growth Tifdwarf first dwarf bermudagrass released in 1965 Dwarf mutant of Tifgreen Darker color and higher shoot density than Tifgreen Tolerated HOC down to ~5 mm

44 Ultradwarf bermudagrass Began as off-types of Tifdwarf Genotypically different than Tifdwarf Naturally selected because of their tolerance to lower HOC and disease resistance

45 Ultradwarf bermudagrass Classified into two groups according to growth habit in relation to Tifdwarf: Group 1: Slow vertical growth with fast lateral growth Group 2: Slow vertical growth and slow lateral growth

46 Ultradwarf bermudagrass Group 1: Champion, MiniVerde, and MS Supreme Group 2: FloraDwarf and TifEagle

47 Champion

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49 TifEagle

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51 Seashore Paspalum Paspalum vaginatum

52 Seashore Paspalum Paspalum vaginatum Salam, Supreme, SeaDwarf Salinity tolerance; rhizomatous & stoloniferous Holds mower stripe

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55 Zoysiagrass on a putting green?

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58 Diamond zoysiagrass Zoysia matrella Fine texture Low N fertility requirement Shade tolerant Moderately salt tolerant

59 Zoysiagrass

60 Zoysiagrass

61 Zoysiagrass

62 Zoysiagrass More shade tolerant than bermudagrass Moderately tolerant of saline conditions Generally requires less N than bermudagrass

63 Crowne (Z. japonica) Cavalier (Z. matrella) Diamond (Z. matrella)

64 Zoysiagrass on a putting green? Diamond zoysiagrass (Z. matrella) was released from Texas A&M in 1996 Very fine textured High rhizome density Upright growth and high lignin content

65 How do we manage these new greens? Cultural practices Sand topdresing Surface maintenance Green Speed Winter management

66 Field Studies to Manage Organic Matter Accumulation

67 Vibratory Rolling Enhances Topdressing Incorporation on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens

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69 Thatch Mat

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71 Materials and Methods Conducted on a TifEagle bermudagrass putting in Knoxville, TN Mowed at 4 mm six times per week

72 Materials and Methods Topdressing incorporated by brushing alone, vibratory rolling alone, and combination of vibratory rolling and brushing Topdressed at ~3 mm depth every two weeks Control plot not topdressed

73 Evaluations Organic matter concentration in top inch of rootzone Total biomass concentration in top inch of rootzone Topdressing sand removed by mowing Thatch depth Surface hardness

74 Total Biomass

75 Topdressing removed

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80 Surface Hardness

81 Results Vibratory rolling alone not sufficient More sand was picked up at mowing from vibratory rolling alone than any other treatment Combining vibratory rolling and brushing picked up less sand than all other treatments Vibratory rolling and brushing was not different from untreated control

82 Vertical Mowing and Grooming are Important Thatch Control Measures for Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens

83 Thatch Mat

84 Vertical Mowing

85 Vertical Mowing Grooming Objective: Determine how light vertical mowing and grooming impact soil physical properties

86 Vertical Mowing Grooming Materials and Methods: Plots were mowed six times wk -1 at 4.0 mm Treatments: Grooming Daily Light vertical mowing weekly Grooming + Vertical Mowing Control (no grooming or vertical mowing)

87 Vertical Mowing Grooming Evaluations: Topdressing removed Turf Cover Turf Quality Organic matter accumulation

88 Topdressing Removed

89 Green Turfgrass Cover

90 Turfgrass Quality

91 Vertical Mowing Grooming Results: Vertical mowing + Grooming increased topdressing incorporation Grooming alone produced the best turfgrass cover and quality Weekly vertical mowing should be considered aggressive for ultradwarf

92 Mowing Height, Mowing Frequency, Rolling Frequency, and Lightweight Rolling Effects on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens in the Transition Zone

93 Introduction Previous research supports the use of lightweight rollers on putting greens: Lightweight rollers increase putting green speed (Michigan State University) May reduce dollar spot and moss occurrence (Michigan State University) Can maintain speed when greens not mowed (Michigan State University) Can reduce labor expenditures when combined with mowing in alternating fashion (University of Tennessee)

94 Introduction Most of previous work done on creeping bentgrass What about bermuda?

95 Ultradwarf Bermudagrass

96 Materials and Methods 5 mowing and rolling combinations: Daily mowing Daily mowing and daily rolling Daily mowing and rolling 3 x per week Alternate mowing and rolling 6 days per week Rolling daily and mowing 3 x per week 2 mowing heights 3.2 mm and 4.0 mm

97 Objectives Assess impact of varying mowing heights, mowing frequencies, and rolling frequencies on: Ball roll distance (putting green speed) Turf Quality Turf Cover Turf Color Disease Occurrence

98 Objectives Assess impact of varying mowing heights, mowing frequencies, and rolling frequencies on: Ball roll distance (putting green speed) Turf Quality Turf Cover Turf Color Disease Occurrence

99 Ball Roll Distance 2008

100 Ball Roll Distance 2009

101 Turf Color 2008

102 Turf Color 2009

103 Results Low mow heights = faster speeds Daily mowing and rolling 3 x per week had similar or faster green speeds than daily mowing alone, without color or quality loss Mowing and rolling regimes did not influence turfgrass quality

104 Toro Greens Perfection Brushes John Sorochan, Ph.D and Lucas Freshour

105 Objectives Determine the effects of brushes and their rotational direction in place of traditional groomers on mowers Surface quality Plant health Sand removed with mowing Soil physical properties (moisture and OM) Mower component longevity

106 TifEagle Ultradwarf Hybrid Bermudagrass Topdressed biweekly with 300 g/m 2 of sand meeting USGA specifications 3 m X 3 m plot size with 3 replications Toro Greensmaster Flex TM 2100 s with stiff bristles Initially 3 mm HOC, then lowered to 2.5 mm Initially 2.9 mm brush height (aggressive) then lowered to 1.2 mm (very aggressive)

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109 2012 TifEagle Brush Rotation Study Sand Retrieved Grams control forward counter 0 2-Aug 16-Aug 30-Aug

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111 Average green speed (July August) Counter Forward LSD = 0.27 Control Green speed in feet cm

112 Control Counter Forward

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114 No brush (control) Control (no brush/groomer)

115 Forward rotating Forward

116 Counter rotating

117 Toro 2013 BCD Study

118 2 mm BCD

119 -0.8 mm BCD

120 7.1 mm BCD

121 Sand removed after topdressing (g) mm

122 Sand & clippings removed after topdressing (g) mm

123 Effects of Light Weight Rolling on Four Ultradwarf Turfgrasses

124 Turf Varieties Tested -Champion Bermuda -TifEagle Bermuda -SeaDwarf (paspalum) -Diamond Zoysia

125 Materials and Procedures Materials and Procedures Procedure Each variety replicated 12 times All plots were mown daily at 3 mm Rolling treatment was 3 x per week All plots were Stimped 5 x per week (20 Aug 8 Oct, 2010)

126 Average Putting Greens Speeds from 20 August 8 A October, 2010 A B B B 332 cm 329cm C BC C cm 287cm 288cm 252cm 272cm 247cm

127 Of course, if all else fails. JUST LIE!

128 Real World Putting Green Management Where researchers gett their ideas from your trial and error

129 TPC Southwind Cultural Program March: Turf Work spikers 2X + Topdress medium (setting 3) Use groomer style brushes (2.5 mm to 2.0 mm) April: Greens mowers with groomers & out front brushes 3 4 days / week April 12th: Aerify solid 10 mm tines + Verticut Turf Works Dyna blades 1.5 mm back track (2X) & John Deere blades 1.4 mm back track (2X) + topdress Medium (setting 3!) Plan to alternate brush style groomers and groomers

130 TPC Southwind Cultural Program May: Greens mowers with groomers & out front brushes 3 4 days / week May 3 rd : Verticut Turf Works Dyna blades 2.4 mm back track (2X) & John Deere blades 2.4 mm back track (2X) + topdress Medium (setting 3!) May 26 th : Topdress Medium (setting 3!) Last topdress two weeks before tournament Thursday Scalping was an issue during the tournament Plan to alternate brushes and groomers & topdress with finer sand advance week

131 TPC Southwind Cultural Program June 14th: Topdress medium (setting 3!) June 22 nd : John Deere verticut blades 3 mm back track (2X) + topdress Medium (setting 3 ) Plan to use finer sand with groomer, groomer style brushes (2.0 mm to 2.5 mm) & Turf Work Ultra Groomers St. Jude's PGA Tournament

132 TPC Southwind Cultural Program July: Began using Turf Works ultra groomers and finer topdressing sand which allowed us to use greens mowers with groomers & out front brushes 3 4 days / week July 1 st : Champion topdress sand; medium (setting 3 ) July 6 th : Verticut 6 mm depth 4 directions with two clean up passes followed by aerification and topdress with TPC mix sand July 26 th : John Deere blades 1.5 mm back track (2X) + topdress Heavy (Beaching) Scalping issues were resolved Plan to use Turf Work groomers and alternate brushes and groomers when mowing. Also do heavy topdress after aerification

133 TPC Southwind Cultural Program August 3 rd & 9 th : Turf Work groomers (2.5 mm) 2X back track + Champion sand topdress light (setting 2 ") August 16 th : Aerify 9.5 mm solid + verticut 3 mm 2X back track + Champion sand topdress light (setting 2 ") August 24 th & 31 st : Turf Work groomers ( mm) 2X back track + Champion sand topdress light (setting 2 ") With finer sand we were able to use out front brushes & groomers three to four times / week at 2 mm Plan to continue program and alternate groomers and brush style groomers

134 TPC Southwind Cultural Program September 2 nd, 13 th & 20 th : Turf Work groomers (1.25 mm) 2X back track + Champion sand topdress light (setting 2 ") Plan to continue program and alternate groomers and brush style groomers October February plan to use brush style groomers when mowing Lightly topdress throughout the winter (dusting)

135 Pushing against grain, reveals longer stolons stacked in layers

136 Verticutting Blades used at Southwind Turf Works Dyna blades J.D. normal verticutting blades

137 Groomers used at Southwind John Deere 180c Groomers Turf Works Ultra Groomers

138 Custom Brushes Varying Stiffness

139 Out front broom style brushes

140 Medium topdressing depth

141 Coco Drag Mat

142 Rolling after topdressing & dragging smoothens and increases speed 30 to 40 cm

143 Turf Work groomers

144 Light Normal verticut blades 2.5 mm depth

145 Medium verticut 2.5 to 3.0 mm depth

146 Close up 3.0 mm depth

147 Aggressive verticut 3 mm + (visible difference with and against grain)

148 Close up: back track helps eliminate this variance + multiple directions

149 Topdressing and dragging in coarser sands

150 Verticutting at 6 mm using fairway units for power

151 Back tracked with clean up pass 6 mm depth

152 Debris removal before mowing

153 Close up of aggressive verticutting after clean up

154 Raise mowing height 0.5 mm and light irrigation to prevent scalping

155 Turf Works aggressive 3 mm depth Dyna blades

156 Pre aerification verticutting at 6 mm depth, back track in two direction (4X)

157 Cleaned before mowing & aerification

158 Mowing with out front brushes, height raised 0.5 mm

159 Scalping: it seems the more you tear up the turf the better recovers

160 6 mm inch quad system

161 Clean up and heavy topdressing

162 Recovery: 2 - weeks after aerification

163 New Agronomic term: Beaching Wide open 2 times with Ty-Crop

164 Standard Golf plastic drag mat

165 Followed by coco mat

166 Finished product: 5 to 7 days for sand to work in and green to re-appear

167 Verticut: with Graden

168 Close up of graden: 40 mm spacing X 25 mm depth (notice stolens / rhizones)

169 Clean up after Graden: lines noticeable for another 4 to 6 weeks

170 Test: solid 3 mm tine vs. 3 mm side ejects

171 The Final Inspection!

172 Thank