Lesson 2: Grass: The Most Important Plant on the Course
Golf courses use special kinds of grass that are different from the grass in your backyard. Some grasses grow better in hot weather. Some prefer cool weather. Some are soft and slow — good for putting greens. Some are tough and fast.
Bermuda grass grows in warm places like Florida. Bentgrass likes cool mornings. Zoysia is tough and holds up to lots of foot traffic.
Each type of grass has been chosen because it works best for that part of the course in that climate. The people who take care of the grass study it like scientists.
Feel the grass on the putting green, the fairway, and the rough. How are they different? Describe the texture in your nature journal. Which one feels softest? Which feels roughest? Which one would you most like to walk on barefoot?
This is a great opportunity to visit different parts of the course as a field trip. Even a short walk from green to fairway to rough makes the differences tangible. Your facility’s turf superintendent may be willing to spend five minutes explaining what grasses they use — an authentic expert interaction is worth more than any textbook.