Jump to content
IGNORED

Why are new greens always fast?

joekelly
 Share
Note: This thread is 3688 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

joekelly Great Member

joekelly

I recently read regarding Doral, which underwent a renovation of most greens, that such greens are usually (always?) very fast. So if this is true, (new green = fast green) i wonder why true.  The only notion i can offer is that the grass, (sod?) has an immature root bed thus the surface of the green is closer to the underlying sand.  This may make the grass less dense and harder, thus faster. Or maybe the immediate layer beneath the turf is denser due to fewer roots.

But something must be making the surface 'harder' or 'firmer' to help create more ball speed over the surface.

Any ideas on this topic from greenkeepers?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

caniac6 Great Member

caniac6

The lack of an organic (thatch) layer on new greens means less cushioning for shots. They mentioned a lack of grain on these greens, so they probably have had a pretty agressive verticutting program that would further reduce the thatch layer. When I've played on bermuda greens, the grass is so dense that the ball hardley makes a ball mark, and when you can find a ball mark, it's hard to get the divot tool in the green. A course near me converted to bermuda from bent about three years ago, and players are still complaining about the firmness of the new greens.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

wils5150 Dedicated Member

wils5150

The lack of an organic (thatch) layer on new greens means less cushioning for shots. They mentioned a lack of grain on these greens, so they probably have had a pretty agressive verticutting program that would further reduce the thatch layer. When I've played on bermuda greens, the grass is so dense that the ball hardley makes a ball mark, and when you can find a ball mark, it's hard to get the divot tool in the green. A course near me converted to bermuda from bent about three years ago, and players are still complaining about the firmness of the new greens.


pretty much sums it up. I would assume they did drainage work too. a dry green is a firm greeen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

cfritchie Well Established Member

cfritchie

"FAST" and no thatch are not something that goes hand in hand. A soft green can still be very fast, a hard green can still be slow. The greens at Doral were both. Hard and fast.....they will soften up as the root system gets more substantial, the speed is determined more by how they are mowed and how dry they let them get.

Taylormade SLDR 10.5

Ping Anser 4-PW

Ping Anser 52,54,60

Ping G25 3 Wood 15

Ping I20 4 Hybrid

Scotty Cameron GoLo 7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Note: This thread is 3688 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept
The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...