As we continue onward toward summer we have gotten our first substantial rainfall of the season. A system that predicted anywhere from 5-20mm of rain ended up dumping 40 on us. To our surprise, the turf was able to take in the abundance of moisture without becoming impassable. We have been able to keep the driving range open, and the cart rule has only been reduced to 90 degrees, as opposed to being restricted to paths only. It shows how dry things were getting. I presume a return to a 'scatter' ruling by the end of the week, if not earlier.
With the rainfall, and rising temperatures it is safe to assume a massive flush of growth is at our doorstep. We typically associate this with the height of the rough. While true, and though our rough mowing fleet is fully engaged, I think of what happens to the turf on the greens. The cool and dry spring we had was great for keeping the greens firm and lean. Without hot temperatures we could afford to lay off watering nearly as much as we would in the heat of summer. Over the last couple weeks we saw that when temperatures hit the mid 20s and above we had to start watering the greens almost daily (hand watering for the most part). Now that the turf has an abundance of moisture available, and with warmer weather and longer days, the plants start to “fatten up” as they require more water to facilitate their sustenance and proliferation. This can lead to slower and softer greens that lead to increased thatch production which inhibits surface drainage, is a harbinger for fungal pathogens that feed on and damage turf, and reduces how smooth the ball roll is, among other less than desirable outcomes.
To mitigate this we closely monitor moisture levels (see my previous post from some more in depth information here) and only water the greens when and where they need it. We time our fertilizer applications both for efficiency and with an eye on how the products will be released and taken up by the plant, as well as, and the basis of this post, the cultural practices that are employed to maximize turf health and playability.
Last week we sprayed a wetting agent on the greens. This product helps when it is dry to allow the turf and soil to retain moisture more evenly and for longer. Also, and what has been witnessed with this rainfall is that excess moisture is pushed through the soil profile, helping to keep the greens firmer than they would be otherwise.
Just before the rainfall we completed a verticutting of the greens. This process is excellent at managing thatch levels as the blades bring up organic matter that contributes to thatch development. Turf grass, particularly bentgrass tends to want to lay over as it is being mowed daily. This can diminish the kind of plant density we are aiming for. The verticutting mitigates this, promotes more upright growth and increases the amount of turf shoots in a given area. The last major step in this process is an application of topdressing sand. The sand smooths and firms the disrupted surface, filling in the grooves left from the verticutting, as well as filling in any other imperfections (e.g. ballmark scars, old aeration holes). It also provides an easier route for new turf to fill in and achieve the aforementioned turf density. While there may be noticeable sand on the putting surfaces, this is limited to a few days. And the dividends that are paid out over the coming weeks make for a worthwhile investment. I would argue that even now, as the sand has just been applied and rolled that the surfaces putt much better than they would have yesterday evening after that 40mm storm.
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