How to Maintain Dormant Grass on Golf Courses

Golf courses attract the attention of golfers for many reasons. The condition of the grass on the fairways and greens separates great golf courses from average courses. A healthy, thick turf that stays green longer during the year brings in more golfers than a course with bald spots and brown fairways. Even the best golf courses, however, deal with dormant grass in colder climates. Preparing the grass before dormancy and while it is dormant can ensure a healthy return when the weather warms in the spring.

Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the grass before it becomes dormant. Raise the cutting height of the grass during the final weeks of growth before the weather changes. Apply frequent and light applications of fertilizer. Aerate fairways and greens before the grass goes dormant.

    • 2

      Water the grass well in the fall when it starts to turn cold. Heavy watering delays dormancy.

    • 3

      Plant a cool-season grass, such as annual rye, into normal fairway grass, such as Bermuda, in the fall. Annual rye maintains a green appearance throughout the winter months. It will die, however, during the heat of the summer. Rake and aerate the Bermuda grass before seeding with the rye grass.

    • 4

      Restrict maintenance and golf traffic on dormant grass. Ban or restrict use of golf carts on dormant fairways.

    • 5

      Mow at a lower than normal level in the spring after the danger of a hard freeze passes. Remove as much dead top-growth as possible. This will speed up the greening of dormant grass as the weather warms.

    • 6

      Water and fertilize the grass well after the first mowing of the spring.