09/27/2022
6 Types of Grass Used on Golf Courses
1. Bermuda
Bermuda grass is found exclusively in regions that stay warm all year long. It thrives in areas where rain is abundant, but can also go long periods without water and still spring back to life with a little hydration. If you were to throw this down on a northern golf course, it would look fine. But, come winter, it would be wiped out and not return the next season.
2. Bentgrass
Bentgrass is a staple of Northern US golf courses. This type of grass comes back each year, even after winters that include snow and ice. For those without confidence on the putting green, beware. The stimpmeter on bentgrass greens can easily get into the double digits.
Compared to Bermuda grass, bentgrass is cut higher, making it more noticeable when a grain slopes one way or the other. People will talk about the differences between putting on different types of grass, but with bentgrass, you’re tested in the rough. Longer grass means the ball can sit further down. It also tends to be harder to get the clubhead through the rough and can be somewhat unpredictable.
3. Kentucky Bluegrass
Naturally, this type of grass is easily identified by the color it takes on. Kentucky bluegrass ranges from normal green to an almost emerald-like color, to an actual blue tinged grass.
Kentucky bluegrass goes dormant in the winter, only to spring back to life when growing season begins again—a major benefit for courses in colder areas. One of the biggest concerns with Kentucky bluegrass can be cutting it too short. When it’s allowed to grow a bit, it thrives. As a result, this type of grass is reserved for fairways and roughs, not greens and tees.
4. Ryegrass
Ryegrass is a one-size-fits-all solution for course superintendents. Perennial and annual ryegrass requires a fair amount of upkeep to keep damage and disease away. When properly maintained, it’s a great option for just about every grass-covered surface on a golf course.
Perennial and annual ryegrass is not without its faults. Ever see a blade of grass with brown spots up and down it? That’s gray leaf spot, a sign of imminent danger to ryegrass. If you haven’t seen it, it reminds me of an ear of corn before it’s shucked, but also after it’s been sitting for a while and the green casing begins to brown. Grass or corn, it’s not a good sign for either.
5. Zoysia
What’s a great grass that needs minimal water? Zoysia grass. Golf courses like to minimize their ecological footprint all the while providing great golf conditions. This is made easy by Zoysia grass which easily stays green, can survive long periods without rain, and stands up well to excessive use.
Since Zoysia grass can be cut very low and survive, it is commonly used on fairway, greens, and tees. It is most common in warmer areas, but is more durable than other types relegated to a specific region. However, in many cases, Zoysia is an alternative to Bermuda grass.
6. Poa Annua
Sometimes a competitor and other times a friend of bentgrass, poa annua is built for colder climates and can survive all seasons. In fact, some golf courses end up with too much of this and try to fight back by overseeding bentgrass.
Poa annua is great for courses with a lot of trees as it does not need much sunlight to survive. While your hitting balls into the woods due to tight conditions, poa annua does not mind heavy tree coverage.
Poa annua thrives in shade, but needs to watered frequently, especially during the warmer months or it runs the risk of drying out and turning brown. Given that it’s used on shorter areas (mostly greens), this is not surprising. On the same note, poa annua greens are not always fast and require more precision with distance than others.
