The blog this week is contributed by Pinehurst Country Club, Superintendent Tim Davis.
Growing grass on 2 green on the Maxwell Course can be challenging. Design, compaction, high traffic, and poor subsurface construction are many reasons why this green has had sub par conditions. In an effort to improve conditions we’ve decided to close this green for the winter and employ a turf cover.
Turf covers give the green the jump start it needs to be successful in the upcoming golf season. The cover is made of a translucent woven plastic material that allows sunlight, air, and water to pass through. This permeability allows the plant to breathe and stay hydrated while acting as a barrier that protects the plant from winter desiccation caused by exposure to harsh winter elements like wind. Even though the turf is dormant it is still important to maintain hydration in the plant.
The cover also acts as a blanket absorbing heat from the sun while retaining ground warmth. By maintaining higher soil temps we will effectively be bringing the turf out of dormancy earlier than if it was uncovered. The combination of these effects will help grow stronger and healthier roots, giving the green a 2 to 3 week head start on the season.
The cover works so well that on warmer, late winter days you can actually burn the turf underneath if you’re not careful. On these warm winter days we will pull the cover off the green to prevent sun scald. After the heat of the day has passed and air temperatures are on the decline we will replace the cover to retain ground warmth during the night. The plan is for the green to remain covered until late February or early March (weather dependent). When the cover comes off for good, you will notice the lush green grass underneath and the turf will be better prepared for a successful season.
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