Bentgrass vs. Bermuda grass

[MrElculver2424]

What is the difference and how does it affect golfing?

[Paradox]

give me bentgrass all day, every day..especially on the greens.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by MrElculver2424

What is the difference and how does it affect golfing?

Bentgrass grows better in colder climates whereas bermuda grows better in higher temps ( 80,s 90,s )

Bentgrass will likely die in hot climates

Bermuda is 'grippier' than bent

Google is your friend

[Paradox]

bentgrass doesn't necessarily die in hot climates..it just requires more maintainence.

playing in/on bermuda grass will bring reading grain into the equation of making putts, it will grab your club more if its bermuda rough.  The fairways are "spongier" feeling(don't know how to describe it).

Bentgrass fairways will usually be softer, but they can be mowed tighter and allow for roll out still.  They allow you to pick balls more cleanly and allow a little more spin to be put on the ball(less club/grass interaction).  Bentgrass greens are heaven as they usually roll very true if ball marks are fixed properly and you don't have to worry about grain.

[dhanson]

usually this debate tends to surround the putting surface. bentgrass has been the preferred surface because it grows straight up and is easier to maintain/cut short. bermuda grows horizontally making the putting surface grainy and bumpy. bermuda also doesn't grow well in the shade. i think science has made bermuda better (i.e. easier to grow in the shade, less bumpy) but most still prefer bent.

there was a golf magazine (can't remember which) that had graphs illustrating the difference between the two surfaces in terms of putting statistics (both amateurs and tour players). the differences from 20 feet and in were negligible, but bentgrass was easier to score on from 20+ feet.

[uttexas]

Bent grass needs more water, so you'll usually only find it at pricey courses and privates around here. Bent grass greens roll truer. Bermuda rough is the most difficult. The ball falls to the bottom of the bermuda rough giving you a very nesty lie.

[Chilli Dipper]

Originally Posted by uttexas

Bent grass needs more water, so you'll usually only find it at pricey courses and privates around here. Bent grass greens roll truer. Bermuda rough is the most difficult. The ball falls to the bottom of the bermuda rough giving you a very nesty lie.

Bent grass doesn't inherently "need" more water, but it is a cold-weather grass that needs to be kept cool in the summer months, especially in hotter climates. Unfortunately, overwatering bent in the heat leaves the grass susceptible to fungal diseases, as well as softens playing conditions.

That's why every course south of the 36°30' parallel (the historical Missouri Compromise line, and the Virginia/Kentucky-North Carolina/Tennessee border) will have bermuda (or some other warm-weather grass, like zoysia) rough and fairways. The climate in Florida and along the Gulf Coast is hot enough that bermuda is the only option for greens as well, but the major cities of Dallas, Birmingham, and Atlanta are in a buffer zone where neither bermuda nor bent are ideal year-round grasses. Bermuda freezes in the winter months, and bent overheats in the summer months. Courses that are most active in the summer months, or championship courses that host major tournaments in the summer or early fall (such as East Lake in Atlanta), are moving to new strains of bermuda in their greens; courses that are most active in the winter months, or championship courses that host major tournaments in the winter or spring (such as Augusta National), are sticking with bent.

[allin]

Bent grass doesn't inherently "need" more water, but it is a cold-weather grass that needs to be kept cool in the summer months, especially in hotter climates. Unfortunately, overwatering bent in the heat leaves the grass susceptible to fungal diseases, as well as softens playing conditions.

That's why every course south of the 36°30' parallel (the historical Missouri Compromise line, and the Virginia/Kentucky-North Carolina/Tennessee border) will have bermuda (or some other warm-weather grass, like zoysia) rough and fairways. The climate in Florida and along the Gulf Coast is hot enough that bermuda is the only option for greens as well, but the major cities of Dallas, Birmingham, and Atlanta are in a buffer zone where neither bermuda nor bent are ideal year-round grasses. Bermuda freezes in the winter months, and bent overheats in the summer months. Courses that are most active in the summer months, or championship courses that host major tournaments in the summer or early fall (such as East Lake in Atlanta), are moving to new strains of bermuda in their greens; courses that are most active in the winter months, or championship courses that host major tournaments in the winter or spring (such as Augusta National), are sticking with bent.

This pretty much covers it. I would add that to keep bluegrass fairways and rough green in hot weather requires extra chemical fertilizer and water, bluegrass will go dormant for several weeks during hot weather and get a yellowish or brown look, mistakenly thought dead by many. For this reason most courses increase fertilizer and water to keep golfers happy. It actually is bad for the grass long term because it encourages shallow root development and increases disease risk.

[saevel25]

I hate Bermuda, i could never putt those greens. I am a feel putter, i can pretty much read a putt with out more than a glance. But adding in grain, and that type of green, it throws me for a loop. Its pure evil..