150 temperature degree rule

I'm always preaching the 150 temperature degree rule and since the last week of May we have been there. The fairways are shaping up nicely and roughs are growing. It sure does help when temperatures make or exceed the needed amount.
 What is the 150 temperature rule? Add the night time and day time temperatures together and you want them to equal 150 or better. That combination temperature makes ideal conditions for turf to grow in and it's amazing the difference in the turf comparing to April and May. Here's a few examples;
Low 55 Hi 80 = 135 degrees--not good
Low 60 Hi 85 = 145 degrees--turf will begin to green up and grow slightly vertical
Low 65 Hi 90 = 155 degrees--turf is now beginning grow and recover from winter time damage.
Low 75 Hi 95 = 155+++--turf is now well on its way to growing.
 In April and May the temperatures were well below normal. When we aerified greens in April, three days later the night time temperatures dropped to the upper 30's-NOT GOOD!!! Then a week later another front blew in dropping the lows to the 40's. So it took nearly four weeks to recover from that aerification. The average temperature for March was 64 degrees and April  was 73 degrees and May was 82 degrees. So far in June the average temperature has been 89 degrees, yea buddy that's growing conditions. That's what makes turf grow warm temperatures!!!! I wish I had a magic wand to make it all perfect but folks the bottom line is I depend on Mother Nature, she's in control.
 On top of all that, Thursday June 20th we applied 10 tons of fertilizer to the tee tops, tee slopes, roughs, fairways, and green slopes. That will help in thickening up the rough and making that golf shot a little more challenging. Thank you to all of you who communicate with me and understanding why course conditions are prime at times and at other times why course conditions are not prime.

Thanks
Willy Plowman
Golf Course Superintendent