Why is the course so dry?
As stated in the previous post, we manage for bentgrass in our surfaces, especially the greens and fairways. There are many different management practices that are required for bentgrass. I alluded to a few of them in the previous post. A very important management practice for promoting bentgrass is to dry down the golf course. One of the biggest differences between bentgrass and Poa annua is what you don't see, the plant's roots. Bentgrass has the root system to support a firm and fast surface, Poa annua does not.
Between periods of rain events you may have noticed the greens and fairways have become dry and firm. That is by design. We are trying to significantly stress the Poa annua by depriving it of water. As mentioned the root system of these two plant species is very different. Bentgrass roots are much longer and can find moisture deeper in the soil profile. Promoting bentgrass is something I have always done during my tenure at Metamora and will continue to do.
Below are a couple of photos that may help explain this.
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| Yellowing of Poa plants under stress |
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| Bentgrass and Poa root depths |
