Have you ever noticed how different golf courses have different types of grass? Some are more green and some are more tall. Interestingly there are over 10 types of golf course grass in the world and most of them have different effects on players skill, some affect the swing speed and playing style of the golf enthusiasts while some affect the distance. These grasses also impact the environment around them.
In fact According to a survey conducted by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), 72% of golfers report that the condition of greens is the most important factor influencing their overall experience on a golf course, followed by fairways at 65%. This is why many golfers prefer more green grass on the course,
So In this article we are going to discover how many types of golf course grass there are in the world, how courses maintain and prefer them and what environmental impact they have..
Golf course grasses are mainly divided into two categories.
Warm Season vs Cool Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, thrive in hot-hot-hot conditions. Optimal growth occurs in temperatures between 80°F and 95°F. They tolerate drought well and can quickly recover from damage, making them an excellent selection for fairways and tees in the south.
The negative is they completely go dormant in cool weather and turn brown, which may require overseeding with ryegrass to keep it green all year.
Cool-season grasses are a perfect species for temperate climates, including Bentgrass and Kentucky Bluegrass. They maintain a green color in cold weather conditions and have a high recommendation for northern golf courses.
However, they consume more water and require greater maintenance during hot summer weather conditions due to their total intolerance of heat compared to warm-season types.
There are many kinds of golf course grass but the following ten are the most used for golfing
Warm-Season Grasses
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda is one of the most popular and common turf types. According to USGA it is used in 80% of the golf courses in warm climates in the Southern US. Bermuda is extremely resistant and durable and its ability to recover quickly is very liked by golfers.
It also has the ability to bear drought very easily and it requires 20% less water then other grasses making it suitable for areas which commonly have water shortage. Bermuda grass is also known as golden grasses when compared to other popular turf options.
Bermuda grass is commonly used around fairways, tees and rough patches around courses because of its heat tolerant property, firm playing surface and texture. Bermuda grass growth is quicker than other types of grasses even without regular watering.
Which causes course owners to mow it regularly to retain its qualities. USGA found that areas with water shortage and hard climate conditions saw significant differences in their courses.
Bermuda is a grainy grass and it is the gran that pros usually talk about. But this trait is tempered when golf course management tightly mow the grass, Just like how pros want it to be.
The more it grows the more grain it shows. bermudagrass provides a faster, firm and true surface; the turf grass provides a great cushion-like turf when it gets longer, often loved by seasoned golfers. The grain is not visible on fairways while swinging fast but you can’t ignore it around greens. Bermuda is also notorious for snagging golf clubs.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is another popular warm-season turf but it is also very tolerant to cool temperatures. Zoysia is much more durable than any other grass. It has a very fine texture that is very soft and smooth. It has a very dense growth and is very straight in appearance. It also requires 20%-30% less water than other grasses and requires low maintenance.
Zoysia grass is commonly used in areas around fairways and tee boxes. It is extremely adaptable to a variety of environments. It is also becoming very popular in Australia nowadays. One of the biggest con of it is that it sometimes gets sticky that some golfers don’t like as it captures your ball like a hand and it is also a very slow-growing grass.
Its recovery from damage is very close to Bermuda and both of them are suitable for high traffic areas. The zoysia grass gives a firmer texture then Bermuda but also requires less mowing because of slow growth.
Zoysia is very prone to diseases so proper care in cool seasons can make it better but the Protective applications of it are expensive and can hurt a lot of courses on tight budgets.
Zoysia has many different varieties of grass. One of the most popular and most used is Zeon-Zoysia. It is a fine-bladed zoysia grass which is also known as Barefoot grass. Its maintenance is easier as compared to others because it requires less fertilizer and also provides a smooth cushion like surface.
Seashore Paspalum
Seashore Paspalum is a popular warm-season grass that is used in seaside golf courses. This grass is mainly used in over 60% of golf courses around tropical and subtropical areas.
One of the most popular golf courses, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course, uses this grass which also hosts pga tours. It is a very durable grass and also requires less water but a big con of it is that it requires mowing frequently
Seashore paspalum is used on many golf courses where there are many salt water issues. It is very suitable for areas around greens and fairways because of its lush green and smooth appearance.
Regular mowing enhances its lush dark green appearance and prevents thinning in shaded areas. There are also many other paspalum grass varieties found in the golf courses which are also loved by many tour pros and also average golfers
Cool-Season Grasses
Bentgrass
Bentgrass is widely applied to golfing putting greens due to its fine texture, providing a tightly cut, smooth, and even surface that is well-suited for accurate putting. It may be mowed down to a low height of under 4 cm and has produced a free-draining, firm playing surface. Creeping Bentgrass excels in this regard, as it grows as a dense carpet, creating an ideal foundation for a teed-up ball.
However, bentgrass turf demands extensive maintenance to keep it at its best. It prefers relatively cooler climates and does not perform well in extreme heat, which can cause problems during the summer. During these hotter months, bentgrass tends to require much more water. To maintain optimal conditions, it should be mowed at the proper frequency, fertilized in spring and autumn, and its soils monitored. Although bentgrass can turn slightly brown when exposed to heat or drought, it becomes quite playable with very firm greens and fast fairways during optimal seasons, such as spring and fall, making it suitable for short grass areas.
Due to its high maintenance needs, bentgrass is impractical for homeowners and is thus found mostly on heavily maintained golf courses. It requires significant ground preparation, including leveling and fertilization, to achieve the right smooth surface. However, bentgrass remains one of the favorites for high-end golf courses because it produces a beautiful, superb-quality playing surface and recovers quickly from wear, making it ideal for the rigorous demands of professional play.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool-season grass type that has the features of having a very dense and dark green color. It can have fine texture, sod, and attractive turf, allowing for heavy foot traffic. One of its significant strengths is that it can recover easily from damage because of its aggressive underground rhizome system, which also helps fill in bare spots.
Kentucky Bluegrass is a great performer in temperate climates but also demands regular watering and maintenance, most especially in summer months when it has trouble tolerating hot temperatures. Thus, it is opted for creating an attractive and hardy turf where aesthetic value is necessary, especially in various golf course spaces.
Ryegrass (Perennial and Annual)
Ryegrass is a popular cool-season grass that is mostly used in various golf courses for overseeding fairways and roughs. I t is used in transition zones where most of the warm-season turfs go dormant in winter. Ryegrass is known for its germination and texture which gives an aesthetic look to the golf course. It is a very fast-growing grass.
The appearance of rye grass is lush green and it grows in an upright position. Known for its rapid establishment. It has become a popular choice for fairways in the past decade and is also used in major golf tournaments like the masters. It is suitable for bearing cold temperature but a big con is that it is difficult to maintain in hot and dry weather. It requires regular irrigation and mowing in the warm season.
While it does require a lot of water and maintenance, ryegrass is also highly durable at cooler temperatures, making it possible to be certain that good, playable turf will be maintained for most of the year
Other Notable Grass Varieties
Fescue
Fescue is a popular and eco-friendly grass used in different golf courses in cool-season. I t is one of the slowest growing grasses. It has over 300 types but only a fraction of them suit the golf courses like the rough fescue grass . It is mostly used in roughs where most of the golfers don’t like to hit their ball. It can be trimmed very short and can be used around fairways and tees. It is very drought resistant even in warm environments.
It is becoming popular in Northwest, Northwest areas of the US as well as the British isles. According to USGA it is used in more than 60% of the golf courses in Europe and R&A states that it is used in over 80% of the links-style courses in the UK as well as Ireland and Scotland.
It is loved by many links-style courses due to its low maintenance and low water usage making it a favourable choice of many golf course operators. It also requires frequent mowing. It provides a firm and bouncy feel on the course with a great green appearance. Many golfers often say during the round ” Oh, he’s found the fescue” this is the grass they are talking about.
Poa Annua (Annual Bluegrass)
Poa annua, often remembered as Annual Bluegrass, is another popular golf grass type suitable for cool season. It is very adaptive to low light and damp conditions. poa grass is mostly used in specific course locations like putting greens. It is a very popular golf course in West coast areas. This grass has shallow roots which make it difficult to maintain in low rainfall areas which requires frequent lawn mowing to make it reliable.
Poa grass is a very fast-growing grass, It has a very beautiful distinct green color. It has some uneven seed heads in it which makes it difficult to putt some shots. This is can help you in both bogeys and birdies. Poa is a very unpredictable grass. Many golfer loves this feature of it and say that its seedheads helps us track the ball line while some hate it for this feature and often blame this optimal golf turf for their missed shots.
Poa grass is also very prone to diseases similar to zoysia. In warmer climates the turf often gets diseases and requires medication for its long life. Many popular golf facilities and golf courses use poa grass. Oakmont Country Club greens is the biggest name that uses poa grass in 100% of the greens followed by Pebble beach and Olympic Club.
Buffalo Grass
Buffalo grass is an ideal choice for sports fields and golf courses, particularly in semi-arid climates. This warm-season grass is known for its drought tolerance, requiring significantly less water than traditional grass choices. Its deep root system allows it to thrive in high-traffic course areas, making it a suitable grass option for maintaining lush, green surfaces with minimal irrigation.
One of the standout features of buffalo grass is its ability to form a dense, compact turf that resists weeds and diseases. This compact turf not only enhances the aesthetics of sports fields but also provides a safer playing surface for athletes. Its low maintenance requirements further support its viability as a grass choice, reducing the labor and resources needed for upkeep.
In comparison to other grass choices, buffalo grass is environmentally friendly, needing less fertilizer and fewer chemicals. This makes it a sustainable option for sports applications. As a suitable grass option for diverse playing surfaces, buffalo grass delivers the durability and performance necessary for various sports, making it a preferred choice among facility managers.
OZTUFF Couch
OZTUFF Couch is an exceptional grass variety favored for enhancing landscapes, particularly in the realm of golf. Its vibrant green color and fine texture significantly contribute to the whole golfing experience, providing players with a premium surface to play on. This grass variety is well-suited for various areas of a potential golf course, from fairways to tees, thanks to its resilience and adaptability. It is widely used in Australia for its high durability.
One of the advantages of OZTUFF Couch is its compatibility with different grass varieties, allowing it to blend seamlessly in mixed grass settings. This flexibility ensures that facility managers can create diverse landscapes that meet both aesthetic and functional needs. The grass tends to establish quickly, forming a robust turf that withstands heavy foot traffic while maintaining its lush appearance.
As a reliable grass outlet, OZTUFF Couch stands out for its low maintenance requirements and drought tolerance. It tends to thrive in varying weather conditions, making it a practical choice for golf courses aiming for sustainability. By selecting OZTUFF Couch, golf course designers can elevate the quality of their facilities and offer an unparalleled golfing experience to players.
Key Factors Influencing Grass Selection
Climate Considerations
Climate also significantly influences grass performance and choice. In golf courses, temperature determines the suitability of grass types; warm-season grasses will thrive in a very hot climatic region, while cool-season grasses are more appropriate for temperate regions. It also follows that precipitation levels affect grass choice since drought-resistant varieties are absolutely necessary in arid regions. The geographic location creates unique microclimates that are likely to affect grass growth, and thus grass types suitable to the local conditions must be selected to enable optimal performance.
Course Design and Traffic
Course design and expected traffic patterns determine which grasses to use on which parts of the course. Fairways and roughs demand strong, tough grasses like Bermuda or Ryegrass for foot traffic while greens demand a smooth, low-growing type, such as Bentgrass for precise putting. Being aware of the high-traffic or low-traffic areas is essential to maintaining the health of grass as well as to ensure that every part of the course functions to the fullest potential.
Soil Quality and Type
Soil quality affects the health of grass, playing a crucial role. Organic and physical soil conditions help in its moisture and nutrient retention capacity and growth effects on grass. Organic matter, fertilizer, or a combination of both must be added to the soil to enhance the condition. Periodic soil conditions testing clarifies the nutrient deficiency where the golf course manager can take actions and decisions based on those requirements for healthy and long grass longevity, thus making sure that these grass varieties thrive well.
Grass Performance and Maintenance
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance of golf courses is a big topic and it requires different techniques like mowing, watering and disease prevention. Popular grass types like poa and ryegrass are one of the fastest growing grasses and require more frequent mowing to give the best playing surface while grasses like bermudagrass growth is very slow.
Fast growing grasses also require more watering and also grasses found in drought area or areas affected with rainfall also require more water. According to a GCSAA study, golf courses in the United States alone consume an average of about 2.08 billion gallons of water every day for turf maintenance. It is all irrigation and maintaining fairways, greens, and roughs, among many things, accounted for in the current figure.
Some types of grasses are more prone to disease and require medication for their sustainability and longevity. These types of grasses are less used because they require more money to sustain. According to a GCSAA study, the average U.S. golf course budgets between $500,000 and $1.2 million annually for turf management activities that include mowing, irrigation, pest control, and fertilization.
Environmental Impact of Grass Selection
Grass choice is very critical in terms of environmental impact, especially for water usage, fertilizers, and pesticide requirements. Two grasses that require much water and chemicals to maintain in excellent condition for course play are Bermuda and Bentgrass, making these less environment-friendly choices. Low-maintenance grass types such as Fescue and Buffalo Grass have more ecological advantages with less water and chemical requirements, which are more suitable options for courses that desire ecological friendliness. According to a 2021 study, the average golf course sequesters 50 tons of CO2 per year due to turfgrass, trees, and landscaping.
Artificial Golf Grass
Artificial grass is an alternative to natural turf, maintenance needs are minimal, and playing conditions remain consistent. The up-front cost of this artificial grass is much greater than natural turf, but water, fertilizer, and pesticides are avoided that make it desirable for practice ranges and non-competitive golf areas but not for all golfers as nothing feels like or plays quite the same as a full course.
FAQs
Bermudagrass is often considered the easiest grass to play golf on, especially in warmer climates. Its dense, durable blades provide good support for the ball, making it easier to strike solidly from both fairways and greens.
419 Tifway Bermuda grass is recommended for golf courses due to its exceptional durability and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. It also offers a fast, smooth putting surface, making it popular among golfers seeking high-quality playing conditions.
Zeon Zoysia is favored for golf courses because of its dense growth and ability to provide a soft, plush playing surface. It also requires less water than other grasses, making it easier to maintain while still delivering excellent performance.
Golf course grass appears exceptionally green due to meticulous maintenance practices including regular mowing, watering, and fertilization. Additionally, specific grass types like bentgrass and Bermudagrass are cultivated for their vibrant color and health .
Bermudagrass is the most popular type of grass used on golf courses, especially in southern regions. Its resilience and ability to create fast playing surfaces make it a top choice among course designers .
PGA National predominantly features TifEagle Bermudagrass on its greens, which is known for its fast and smooth putting surfaces. This grass type thrives in the warm climate of Florida, making it ideal for the course’s conditions.
Fine fescues are among the softest grasses available, known for their delicate, thin blades that provide a lush feel underfoot. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are also considered soft options for lawns and golf courses .
