Stepcut and fairway adjustments

Bermuda grass is a very strong and hardy turf grass. However, it does have weaknesses and sometimes the replacement with another type of grass is the best solution. This is the case with three specific spots on the golf course: the left side of #18 fairway about 150 yards off the tee near the big tree; left side of #1 fairway about 50 yards short of the green near the big tree; left side of #7 fairway about 80 yards short of the green near the big tree. We have completed work on the spot on #18 with both Bermuda and tall fescue sod. Work on #7 has Bermuda sod done while on #1 no Bermuda sod will be laid and tall fescue sod is pending.

#18



#18

All three of these spots have one thing in common: they are located near a big tree. Trees provide many great things to a golf course including aesthetics, protection from wayward shots, and cool shade on a hot day. But big trees also take away from the health of turf grass that grows near them. The roots of the tree take away the water and nutrients that the grass plant needs. The shade from the limbs takes away the sunlight that the turf grass plant needs. All grasses need water, nutrients, and sun; however some species are more adept at surviving when one or more is limited. Such is the case with tall fescue versus Bermuda grass. The Bermuda grass under the tree on #18 was very thin or non-existent because of the shade from the tree. To alleviate this problem we shifted the lines of turf species out away from the tree. Now, a new step-cut line has been sodded in Bermuda grass and what was previously Bermuda grass step-cut and fairway has been replaced with tall fescue. This pushes the Bermuda grass out from under the tree and gives it a better chance to survive. The tall fescue that is now under the tree is better adapted to deal with those conditions.

The same process is underway on #7 and #1 as well. On #7 we will be installing the tall fescue as soon as we can, but because we have easy access to the Bermuda grass sod at our nursery, that sod has been laid. On #1 we will let the existing Bermuda grass recover and grow and only lay tall fescue sod.

#1

 

When you are out playing you will notice these areas and it may seem like a very small change, but giving the Bermuda grass that small increase in distance from the drip line of the tree will help its chances of survival tremendously. This will improve the playability of fairway and step-cut turf on each of these holes.

#7

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org