USGA Article

Don't give up on turf that is severely stressed from heat and drought

   Drought stressed fairways are a common sight in much of the country this summer. Fortunately, brown does not have to mean dead--particularly for the warm season grasses. many of these grasses enter a state of semi-dormancy when prolonged droughts are combined with high heat. Superintendents often are pleasantly surprised at how well the turf recovers once the rains return.



   A little common sense is important here where turf that is dormant for any reason is highly prone to injury from traffic--particularly golf carts. When the rains do come back, the turf that was protected from concentrated wear will have a much better chance of survival and regrowth.

  

USGA The Drought of the Lower Mid-Continent

 Most of Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico are suffering an incredibly severe drought. Many areas are at record drought levels, and some parts of west Texas have not received measurable rain since October 2010. Superintendents in Houston have recorded measurable rain since October 2010.
 This has created significant problems for superintendents--not just drought concerns, but other problems that dovetail into drought issues. These include:

* Rapid total salts and sodium build-up

* The significant cost of water purchases

* The challenge of monitoring water allocations for June, July, and August instead of just August as is the case

Firm and fast conditions have been brought by the drought, whether or not the superintendent or golfers are ready. A picture at the Champions Golf Club (Houston, Texas) is a perfect example of significant browning in golf course fairways and roughs, while the greens are maintained in high quality condition. Superintendent Charles Joachim, CGCS, has a tremendous handle on dealing with these issues and has planned ahead for unrelenting heat and drought for the rest of the year. Charles is taking the approach of providing only enough water in the fairways and roughs to maintain survivability of bermudagrass and trees. he has purchased many water bags for trees, and has two people dedicated to filling these bags to protect the trees as best as possible without using overhead irrigation.
 For the most part, the greens and tees are in top-quality playing condition. Although aesthetics are greatly affected by the severe drought, playing conditions are not. This is exactly what proper water management entails. Not only is Charles keeping water costs down as much as possible while maintaining turf survival and preventing turf loss, he is still providing a golf course with tremendous playability. At the same time, he is proactively dealing with future water availability should the drought persist.

 Water cost is certainly a factor, but so is managing water availability to that the supply is adequate in late July and August if the drought persists. In addition, a superintendent must manage the salt issues by using gypsum applications and flushing. This has to be a careful balance of heavy watering and flushing on as infrequent a basis as possible to maintain turf health.
 Golf cart tracks makes a substantial negative impact on the already stressed turf. To prevent additional turf loss, cart restrictions are an even more important program when the turf is in significant drought stress. This program as handed differently by every golf course, depending on their situation, but must be considered by all.

USGA Article posted June 6, 2011

USGA Article What Drought restrictions mean For Golfers

 The drought has a grip on golf courses that may have never seen. It is affecting turf and tree health on practically all courses in the lower Mid-Continent Region.
 These conditions require a significant change in golf course management.

* Responsible water conservation
* Water Rationing
* Protecting turf and trees that are in survival mode
* Maintaining playability as well as possible

 First of all, aesthetics are out the window. Any golfer who is upset about brown areas on the course has not been outside. Superintendents have courses in survival mode, plain ans simple, and their programs by management and golfers alike.

 This drought level requires special maintenance practices to protect turf and trees, including raising cutting heights, adding potash to fertility programs, watering as deeply as water limitations allow, using water bags on key trees, and the biggest one, restricting carts. Golf carts can impose severe damage in drought conditions, even on bermudagrass, and as a result, a certain amount of cart restrictions is essential in such severe conditions.
 Another important planning requirement is to maintain water availability through July and August if quantities are limited. Many Superintendents are accustomed to balancing water availability in August, But this drought has forced some course to implement water rationing since April or May.
 As discussed in the Mid-Continent regional update, water applications can be reduced in fairways and roughs with no significant impact to playability, only aesthetics. These restrictions are based on regulatory constraints imposed on the course. Water bags are used on important trees, since rough irrigation will be the most restricted water level. The remaining order of priority for irrigation scheduling is greens, surrounds, tees, landing areas and then the fairways. Raising the cutting height helps maintain better root and rhizome health, and increases the ability for the bermudagrass to go semi-dormant or dormant as a survival mode. remember irrigation systems supplement rainfall-not replace it. During significant drought, no system can keep up with soil moisture in all areas.
 Restricting golf carts protects the turf by reducing stress and compaction on the turf, both above and below the ground. Maintenance traffic also is more restricted for the same reasons.

 Superintendent and golfers alike must plan for next fall and winter if this drought persists throughout the summer. As bermudagrass hardens off in the fall  for dormancy, drought conditions can significantly impede the buildup of roots and rhizomes to withstand winter. therefore, traffic restrictions and raising cutting heights will have to be implemented sooner that early fall for bermudagrass protection.
 Golf course Superintendents need golfer understanding and support now, as much as they may have ever needed it. This is a difficult time, with no immediate end in sight. Superintendents are looking desperately to prevent turf loss, and the focus on grooming, bunker care, etc. must take a back seat. Do your part to protect your investment and let your superintendent know that they have your full support.

USGA Article Posted June 23rd.