Managing Bermuda Grass Golf Greens Why Bermuda Location

Managing Bermuda Grass Golf Greens

Why Bermuda? Location C 4 grass verses C 3 grass

Problems with Bermuda Dormancy Over seeding Spring Transition Winter kill Shade issues (8 hours of full sun)

Bermuda Cultivars Tiff 328 Tiff Dwarf Champion Tiff Eagle Mini Verdi

Green Construction for Bermuda USGA construction best Not as critical for bermuda as it is for bent

Cultural Practices for Bermuda Greens

Mowing. 125 -. 250 inches Remove clippings Vary mowing pattern

Irrigation and Water Management Deep and infrequent Not as sensitive to water stress as bent grass Water quality is important

Fertilization Fertilizer should be applied in amounts to accomplish adequate growth and turf quality Timing is important turf needs to be actively growing (based on minimum and optimum temperatures) Excessive amounts will affect ball roll High traffic greens fertilize for recovery

Nitrogen Rates 8 -24 lbs of N per year Establishment 25 percent more N Low rates for areas with less intensive play, lower budget, shorter growing season High rates for areas with a longer growing season, lots of play or damage from pest

Frequency Very high 1 lb N every 7 -14 days High 0. 5 lb N every 7 -14 days Low 0. 5 lb N every 14 -21 days Beware of excessive thatch and slower ball roll

Frequency for non over seeded Bermuda Fall 10 -15 Winter 0 Spring 35 Summer 50 -55

Over seeded Bermuda Greens 0. 5 lbs of N every 2 to 3 weeks Fertilize for good color and growth Use Iron and Manganese to obtain good color instead of N

Frequency for over seeded Bermuda Fall 15 Winter 15 Spring 25 Summer 45

Other elements Potassium one half to equal that of Nitrogen Phosphorus 0 -4 lbs per year

Fertilizer Sources Granular Liquid Or combination of both Spoon feeding

Auxiliary Cultural Practices

Aerification Min of 3 -4 core aerifications per year More frequent for newer cultivars Every 4 - 8 weeks

Spiking and Slicing Spiking 1 inch deep slicing 2 - 4 inches deep Less surface disruption Relieves surface compaction Promotes better water infiltration Breaks up soil surface crusting and algae layers Every 7 -14 days

Vertical Mowing 0. 5 -1 inch spacing Depth different objectives can be met by adjusting the depth Shallow grain reduction and break up of cores Deep stimulate new growth, reduce thatch accumulation, and seed bed preperation

Vertical Mowing If dethatching is the objective set to depth of thatch blade spacing 1 -2 inches For new growth set to depth of stolons and now deeper

Frequency of Vertical Mowing Depends on thatch accumulation Begin when thatch levels reach 0. 25 to 0. 5 inches Deep vertical mowing should be followed by topdressing to prevent roots and rhizomes from drying out Vertical mow after the dew has dried, remove debris, and irrigate Fertilize 5 -7 days afterward with 1 lb of N

Topdressing Light and frequent Heavy after aerification or vertical mowing Smoothes surface Encourages thatch break down Use same soil that the turf is growing in

PGRS Improved putting speed Help with over seeding Last 3 -4 weeks