Temporary Greens

Published March 31, 2004

It's that time of the year again, the days are getting longer and the snow is starting to melt. Just the other evening I got a whiff of the unmistakable odor of a skunk, a sure sign that warmer weather is not far off. Soon the bears will awaken from their winter hibernation and start their veracious search for food. Much like bears, golfers too will awaken from hibernation with a veracious appetite, but not for food. Food is the last thing on their minds.

Their hunger is for the game of golf.

That's right, as soon as the sun starts to shine and the temperatures are on the rise, the adrenaline starts to flow. The anticipation grows and the golfers can't stop looking at their golf clubs conveniently stored just within an arms reach. The Weather Channel becomes their favorite TV show and the ratings shoot through the roof. The anxiety is almost overwhelming and then relief, the weather man is predicting sunny skies and 70 degrees for the weekend, that perfect day is so close you can smell the fresh cut grass. The day is near, so you make a tee time. The night before you can't stop thinking about tomorrows golf game. You're constantly going over your swing in your mind and you imagine that perfect drive up the first fairway. After a relatively sleepless night, you get up early, grab your clubs and your out the door, eating breakfast doesn't even enter your thoughts.

Again on the way to the golf course your still thinking about your swing and sinking that first put. You finally arrive, you get your clubs and head for the first tee. On the way to the tee something catches your eye so you stop, take a closer look and you can't believe it, It can't be! You rub your eyes and take yet a closer look and your mouth drops wide open. There's a sign that says "Temporary Greens.

As usual, every spring we will use temporary greens for a short period after the thaw. Every golf course is different so there are different reasons for the use of temporary greens. In our case the greens are "push up," that is they're made by pushing up or using native soil. Our greens are also constructed without a drainage system. During the spring thaw, our greens tend to hold water longer and stay frozen longer than sandy greens.

During the thawing and drying process the greens are extremely soft and it is important to limit the amount of traffic to avoid causing footprints, which can be fairly severe. These footprints can persist well into the playing season providing a bumpy putting surface. The roots at this time are very delicate and any kind of stress such as the twisting motion caused by foot traffic can cause the roots to shear off. This is most common while there is still a layer of frozen water in the soil profile. The grass itself is usually just breaking dormancy and it needs a period of "adjustment" before the on-slot of traffic.

Generally after a couple of warm spring rains all of the soil heaved by the frost is back in place and the soil temperature is well above the freezing point and the grass is ready for the battle. So when you see the "temporaries" after a long winter wait and your really anxious to play the greens, remember it's really "for the good of the game".

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