Golf Grass: Part 1

Note: This article started out with the simple idea of writing about different types of golf grass, their characteristics, locations and how to play a better golf game on them. As the research began it became clear this was no simple task. Universities have multi year programs dedicated just to golf course grass management. The depth of research into the field is deep and there is far too much information to cover in a simple blog. The research is quite interesting though and golf grass is an important part of how you’re going to play your game, though not nearly as glamorous as the newest golf shoes or clubs, the grass is actually the surface on which the entire game is played and incredibly important on many levels, some for you personally and some on a much larger scale.

Putting Green Speed:

Putting greens are probably the most important and scrutinized part of any golf course. Watching championship play on TV, golfers get an impression that these perfectly manicured greens are what they should be playing on at home golf courses. But the truth is for most of us having a green with slightly longer grass, with slower ball speeds is going to make your golfing game more enjoyable and get more people into the game.

Over the course of 20 years, golf courses have consistently worked to shorten the length of the grass on greens. This is done through research at universities developing new strains that can withstand the low mowing and better turf management practices. The golf ball rolls faster over short cut grass because the shorter the leaf the less friction on the ball. This is also why the grass on greens has thin leaves, less contact to slow down the ball. Greens keepers also try to have the grass grow straight up, so just the tips of the grass are what is touching the ball. This trend is a double-edged sword though, as it may not be to the benefit of the majority of golfers.

The shorter the leaf of the grass the less ability it has to produce the carbohydrates from photo synthesis that it needs to develop deep roots and repair itself from foot traffic. Also the shorter leaf increases the speed of the ball, which makes it harder for golfers with higher handicaps. Having slightly longer leaves makes for less puts and less frustration for the rest of us. Knowing the type of grass and how it plays will also help you reduce the number of putts to the hole.

The type of grass will affect your game, nowhere more so then when putting. Different grasses are used in different parts of the country due to their natural abilities to deal with warm or cold, dry or wet conditions. Grasses developed especially for putting greens are called cultivars and generally require more upkeep as well. You can learn about the type of grass during your golf lessons and from local professionals.

The grain of the grass on the putting green will affect your putting game as well. Bent grass is the grass of choice on any putting green, though Bent grass has a harder time in humid and hot climates so Hybrid Bermuda grass is used down south. The Bent Grass is going to have finer leaves and stands up better to low mowing, so you are going to have smoother, faster putts. Knowing what grass is at your local course is going to help your game. On that note, the single best thing you can look at on a putting green is the grain of the grass. The grain is going to affect the speed and direction of your puts. It is affected by several factors, such as the direction of the sunlight, how water drains off the green and how the wind blows across the course. To determine the direction of the grain look at the hole and find the sunburned, brown grass. The brown is the roots of the grass that is a good indicator of where the grass is growing.

The grain is going to affect your putts by slowing down putts into the grain, speeding up down grain putts and either magnifying or reducing breaks. Knowing the grass you’re playing on is a great tool to add to your toolbox for lowering your score.

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