What's that Special Grass?

Published April 10, 2004

In the course of meeting new people and telling them that I'm a Golf Course Superintendent, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "What's that special grass that grows so low?"

The quick response is Creeping Bentgrass. But in reality Creeping Bentgrass does not like to be mowed so low, at best it tolerates low mowing heights. Growing grass at putting green heights of a 1/8 of an inch and less is really a battle of survival for both the grass and the Golf Course Superintendent.

The two major grass species that compete at these heights are Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass (Poa Annua). The desired species is Creeping Bentgrass but the most predominant is Poa Annua. Regardless of which species is most prevalent on golf greens, the grass does not like to be mowed so low. The challenge for Golf Course Superintendents is literally just keeping the grass alive. As the ever-increasing popularity for the game of golf and the demand for faster green speeds approaches new levels, the stress that the grass is forced to endure also increases. With all of the new demands we place on the turf along with weather related stress, the one thing that remains the same is the turf itself.

Many courses have the same grass varieties they had when they were built many years ago. Although there have been many new improved varieties of putting green quality bentgrasses introduced to the market, to convert golf greens to one of these new varieties would be an extremely expensive process and one that many clubs cannot afford. With the inability to update to current technology, the superintendent must rely on his ability to provide as much tender loving care as possible.

One analogy I like to make is the comparison of managing golf greens to the Japanese art of bonsai. Both are producing results contrary to a plant's natural state. These Japanese artists take various plants and manipulate them. By meticulously pruning, shaping and caring for them, these plants, which can grow very tall, can be manipulated to mature at heights of less than a foot tall.

Quite like bonsai, superintendents must provide continuous care to produce the desired results. In both cases, if something gets out of balance the results can be devastating for the plants and the person growing them.

So the next time you hear someone talking about that special grass, let them know it's not the grass that's so special, it's the care it receives!

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