The ultradwarf bermudagrasses (Champion, Mini-Verde and TifEagle) have been available since the late 1990s and have outperformed their predecessors Tifgreen and Tifdwarf in research trials (Morris, 2003) and on putting greens. Superior surface smoothness and faster putting speeds can be maintained with these grasses because of their finer leaf blade texture, greater shoot density, and tolerance to lower mowing heights. Many golf courses throughout the southern United States have converted to an ultradwarf bermudagrass, and this has raised the bar as far as putting green quality.
Golf courses in the transition zone have also realized benefits of ultradwarf bermudagrasses. Bentgrass has long been favored because of its superior putting characteristics compared to Tifgreen and Tifdwarf. However, bentgrass struggles during the summer months, a time when peak playing conditions are desired in the transition zone. Many bentgrass putting greens have suffered severe turf loss with extreme heat and humidity, as greens are stressed to produce fast speeds at the expense of turf health. Bermudagrass has been viewed by golfers in the transition zone as a second-class citizen, but ultradwarf cultivars have changed this opinion with their excellent playing conditions.
Development of spot infestations of off-type bermudagrasses has also been a longtime problem with Tifgreen and Tifdwarf bermudagrass putting greens, resulting in a change in composition over time from a monostand to a collection of different bermudagrasses (Foy, 1997; Busey, 1997).Typically off-types became noticeable within five years after planting Tifdwarf bermudagrass, growing in size and number over a short period of time. Many Florida golf courses regrassed putting surfaces every 10 to 15 years due to a progressive increase and poor performance of bermudagrass off-types (Foy, 2003).
It was hoped that ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens were immune to off-types, as there were very few apparent issues within the first seven or more years. In fact, there are ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens that are more than 12 years old that have no apparent off-types at this time. However, off-types have become a significant issue on golf courses in recent years. This article attempts to shed greater light on bermudagrass off-types on ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens and offer some insight as to how they are currently being managed
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