The more frequent approach minimizes impact to the golfer and has little to no recovery time. Eliminate coarse textured Bermuda grass plants introduced or encroaching from collars and surrounding areas by hand roguing or nonselective foliar applied herbicides. When managed properly, the ultradwarfs can provide some of the best putting surfaces out there for 49-50 weeks in a calendar year allowing a couple of weeks for the necessary disruption of aeration. A 4-yr experiment was conducted in southern Florida, on a US Golf Association (USGA)-specified green to examine the effect of topdressing and vertical mowing frequency on ultradwarf bermudgrass cultivars Champion, TifEagle, and FloraDwarf for primarily quality, growth, tissue N and K, and ball roll distance. For information on insects, diseases and weeds, visit: http://www.georgiaturf.com. winter survival, especially in the transition zone where The goal is to manage lateral growth and promote a fine-textured plant with upright growth not to harvest a significant amount of material. /hectare) or otherwise treated to eliminate contaminating If dry sand is used, The sprigbed should be fumigated (2 lbs methyl bromide/100 sq. Because of its over seeding and transitions characteristics, it is highly effective for year-round play in areas where summer temperatures reach and exceed 100 degrees. Likewise, putting greens should be verticut and . Several morphological characteristics give TifEagle its unique advantages: $ excellent root system development and structure$ high quality putting surfaces at cutting heights of 0.125" and lower$ rhizomatous rather than stoloniferous growth habit$ superior color under cool conditions$ tolerance to verticutting$ rapid regrowth from mechanical injury. Start early in the spring when content, water holding capacities and water infiltration least two directions, and the surface firmed with a Sprigbed preparation:The surface should be as smooth and firm as possible. has shown that TifEagle plots treated with Primo, at the It is an excellent grass with thicker, tougher leaves and stems than that of bermudagrass and can be mowed very low. Verticutting during active growth Mowing: Do not allow TifEagle to grow Increasing turf density: Mow daily. 8. Regular light topdressing applications should label rate, during months of rapid growth, maintained Clubs real- Diseases that affect ultradwarf greens are most evident when growth and recovery potential is slow. Primo. However, this is not a cookbook for ultradwarf management as decisions need to be made that are specific to each course. III. Off types have not been a problem on TifEagle greens. For golf course owners, this means more maintenance, more materials, more labor and no doubt more money. Overseed management: Summertime management that gives a healthy turf without excessive thatch is critical for good overseeding results. A very important consideration to maintain green speeds are that more double-cutting will be required compared to bermudagrass. air (anaerobic) remain viable for longer periods of time. 3. 0.5 lb/1000sq ft (0.25 kgs N/100m2) 2 times per week (3-5kgs./100m2). does not tolerate deep verticutting; however, some potassium levels on soil reports and maintain high establishment. C. Aerify 3 - 5 times minimum per year using 2" tines on 2" centers. Compared to bentgrass, ultradwarfs (which include Champion, Mini Verde, and Tifeagle) grow much more agressively both vertically and horizontally. In tropical climates, try to Rightly or wrongly, evaluation at university research stations since 1988, and beginning layer is desirable, but try to keep the layer less than growth. TifEagle is similar to Tifdwarf, i.e., threshold EC of Begin mowing at approximately 0.180 inch 10. Remember that you have to feed the greens before, during and after to rip them up. mix, or some other irregularity that would be detrimental These grasses are sterile, meaning that their seed is not viable. leaf area is available to intercept the light. push-up greens, once per year should be adequate. Turfgrass performance and health must be evaluated regularly to determine what HOC is best suited for your course. Grooming should be more aggressive when the grass is thatch by verticutting 1.25 inches (30mm) deep in late Number of verticut replications and depth will depend on the summertime management and the extent of the thatch layer. Walk behind mowers are preferred over triplex mowers. TifEagle, like most other bermudagrasses, needs full Tifdwarf. higher turf quality, better colour, higher shoot density Surface preparation: Lightly verticut to thin and open canopy. managing this mat layer will depend on season, weather, temperature below 120F (50C) in the center of the box vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Guertal and the members of my graduate committee for their guidance, support, and cooperation throughout the course of my masters research project. protocol. these sites showed that TifEagle produces a premium A. Preplant suggestions: Backtrack verticut the green. seeds and vegetative plant parts. Use sod grown and maintained at 3/8-1/2". adjusted according to test recommendations before Plant growth regulators: Long-term effects Use sod grown and maintained at 3/8-1/2". soil surface moist, but not saturated. The following bullets outline the backtrack verticutting process: Mow the putting green. Most fungicide applications are typically needed between fall and early spring, with a few exceptions. I started using this trick back in Naples, Florida 10 years ago when I grew in the course at Calusa Pines Golf Club. Additionally, these grasses are being used in colder climates as we learn more about how to reduce the likelihood of winter injury. Topdressing helps to manage organic matter content and provides a smoother putting surface. It may be difficult to maintain desirable General Management Guidelines During Active Fairy ring requires applications in spring and summer for best control, and if mini-ring or take-all root rot (TARR) are problematic, applications should be initiated in early summer. during possible. inch (3.2mm). At least 80% coverage should be obtained in TifEagle is encouraged to review these suggested speed and consistency even club players are beginning to demand. These practices are recommended to prevent excessive thatch formation and provide maximum putting speeds with true ball rolls. The video shows you a proven method to remove thatch in a Tif-Eagle putting green. Caution: Since plant growth regulators usually lessen An official website of the United States government. should result in a shorter interval between establishment If too much pulling occurs, try verticutting in a different direction e.g., cross-grain. Light verticutting (1/32"-1/16" below cutting height) at least once every 2 weeks during active vegetative growth, alternate with topdressing. surfaces. Monthly archive. Thatch is the layer of organic material including Use of liquid fertilizer materials has improved consistency of TifEagle color and putting surface performance.This is probably due to the ability to better manage plant tissue nutrient levels. Not TifEagle. 1. aeration, water infiltration and rooting are common. 2. characteristics give TifEagle its unique advantages: Use a soluble source (not slow release) for Multiple mowings per day is one of the best methods for altering the plant architecture to provide finer leaf blades, a more-upright growth habit and a smooth putting surface. TifEagle was bred, evaluated, Mowing is fundamental to provide a high-quality putting surface and having sharp and properly adjusted mowers is critical. coverage. rhizomes with sand. Overseed Management: Monitor Sands are typically incorporated with a brush or drag mat, followed by irrigation. Deep rooting should be encouraged surface performance. "Sunday outperformed TifEagle in cool season color, height of cut, and green speeds and has two-thirds more root mass," said Easter. Sodding vs. sprigging: Sprigging However, as a result of its distinct genetic to set an even higher standard for the 21st century. These practices green is also important. provide optimum putting speeds with true ball rolls. nitrogen to maintain a quality putting surface or density 2023 United States Golf Association. versatile. TifEagle putting greens Traditional C. During periods of rapid growth, do not That said, nitrogen fertility should be based on current growth and recovery rate. thatch.) and nutrient management regimes because organic matter survivability and increase grow-in-time. Improved varieties, including 'Champion', 'MiniVerde' and 'TifEagle' thrive in the heat of the summer and can provide a dense, consistent playing surface. turf. Items such as mowing and rolling frequency, verticutting, clipping yield, topdressing rates and PGR applications all tell a story when the data is collected daily and analyzed at the end of the week, month or year. months of rapid growth and in more tropical climates also TifEagle does not like heavy topdressing. We have new equipment for topdressing, mowing, brushing, rolling, verticutting, and grooming - all as a result of these grasses and the demands for higher quality putting surfaces. root zone mix K 2 lb/ 1000 sq ft. minor elements. one mowing. ft., fine to medium sand) at least once every 2 weeks. It is especially important to rogue foreign contaminants The actual depth depends on the condition of the blades and the effect in the field. Mowing height should be lowered to 0.250" within this period. green. Bull's-Eye Bermuda (also known as BOBSod in Arizona) offers the most beautiful blue-green color and best shade tolerance of all the bermudas. Weather. Use dry bagged sand if A N 0.5lb/1000 sq ft P 2 lb/1000 sq ft or 2.5-3 lbs/cu. rapidly growing and less aggressive in the spring and turf heal and recover. For areas where bermudagrass goes dormant, green speeds can become excessive if the HOC is not raised in fall and winter. Use 30 days depending on soil temperatue and time of year. Aerification: A good goal for aerification about 3.5- 4.0 DSM and 50% growth reduction EC of about A typical frequency for topdressing ultradwarf greens is weekly during the summer growing season. TifEagle also recovers quickly from mechanical mishaps, has good color and is very tough in all weather conditions. Off types have not been a problem on TifEagle greens. During this period mowing height should be lowered to 0.125". Excellent putting periods will not reduce the amount of injury, but will 3 weeks in the spring and autumn when the grass is January 10. Spring transition: Practices that have led Keene says that the differences in manage-ment practices between Tifdwarf and TifEagle makes for extra work in having different mowing and verticutting heights and schedules. hydrophobic conditions. routinely obtained. decrease height of cut more than This mutation had finer leaf texture, darker color and could tolerate lower mowing heights than Tifgreen. Tifgreen combines very fine texture with beautiful green color. In many ways management of TifEagle is similar to Thankfully, extensive research has been performed in this area and a summary of best management practices can be found in the USGA article Best Management Practices for Preventing Winter Injury on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens.. Maintain a border between TifEagle and the collar unique advantages for golf course superintendents. Maintaining TifEagle at heights above putting green height will result in undesirable, thatchy and puffy turf. General Considerations: This practice also reduces the risk of winter injury, but on non-overseeded ultradwarf greens it is necessary to prevent speeds from becoming excessive during the winter months. including frequent topdressing, verticutting, Sticking with the pool table analogy, the turfgrass canopy and mat layer would be to a putting green as felt is to a pool table. instead of thatch. Sprigs over 130F members. High quality, uniform overseeded putting surfaces are routinely obtained with a minimum loss of play. sod, greens should be aerified with core removal and of sprigs. A suggested alternative is to use Certified Tifway or Tift 94 sod. Planting: It is best to get 100% uniform much of a superintendent's reputation rides on the quality of his or Tifdwarf. Controlling nematodes on the perimeter of the II. A. B. Grooming at this time may improve putting This is done through frequent, light verticutting, which is usually done at a depth ranging from 1/32- deep. When planting Therefore, it is . followed to avoid problems and to achieve TifEagle's full We've got answers. Light and frequent verticutting should be performed weekly. TifEagle putting greens have been overseeded with Poa trivialis since 1994. Chemical soil analysis Toro Greensmaster 3300/3400 DPA cutting unit set . an excellent tool for promoting a smoother ball roll. While the ultradwarfs were first used as an alternative to bentgrass because of their reliability in summer, many courses have proven that these grasses can provide championship-quality conditions throughout the year when properly managed. solid tines, star tines and/or a Hydrojet as needed to P & K Alternate NH4N03 /(NH4 )2SO4 with complete analysis materials such as 5-20-20 on weekly basis. Since then, natural mutations in Tifdwarf have resulted in the selection of ultradwarf bermudagrasses commonly used today, including MiniVerde and Champion. (Note: we recommend higher front roller or somewhere in front of the bedknife) paint and do not overseed. TifEagle Species: Smaller seeded species are preferred. Want us to contact you? USGA Green Section Record. Fertility recommendations during establishment: Sprigs should be cut into the surface, preferably in at Featuring fine leaf blades, short internodes, and high shoot density, it makes for an excellent putting service. Alternate NH4NO3/(NH4)SO4 with complete analysis K Maintain N:P:K ratio of at least 1:1:1. 15 Fertiliz Grouep 1 greens wit 10h - 10-20, settin "K.g " 20 Wal verticuk Grout p 1 greens and roll with 1 ton roller. 2021. 9. Only do it about 2-3 times a year but when we do it's like sliced apple pie on the greens. B. Grow-in suggestions, A. 100% Poa trivialis is preferred and has been immediately after planting each section of a green. well on all types of greens if they have good surface and on days when the temperature is greater than 90F Learn from your neighbors, but use their TifEagle's tolerance to close mowing gives the superintendent an excellent tool to manage and control spring transition. 9. TifEagle, C. Increase fertility to encourage bermudagrass coverage of the surface with individual grass sprigs Topdressing is to a putting green as slate is to a pool table., "The setup for light verticutting is critical. Some of this problem can be solved by reversing Begin regular topdressing at 100% coverage, Regular light topdressing applications should be continued on a weekly or biweekly schedule. benefit from vertical mowing in two directions, whereas 2. On-going fertility? 4. the physical stress produced by the lower mowing heights and frequent kgs./100m2)/growing month. II. Vertical mowing is often suspended during periods of stress or limited growth. accumulation of some organic matter. Making our greens putt true. TifEagle usually The specific management protocol for 8. guide number) 100 or less to reduce pick up by mowers. sunlight to produce healthy turf. reserves for the plant. When double mowing, backtrack mowing is commonly used with great success. Apply fungicides curatively for any diseases The goal is to be light and frequent so that there is no significant disruption to playability.". aeration. The second sand, similar to the original rootzone mix, includes more coarse and very-coarse particles and is used to backfill aeration channels. Due to the aggressive growth habit of the ultradwarfs, grain, leaf texture and organic matter content must be managed with frequent maintenance practices to provide high-quality putting surfaces. developed and released by USDA-ARS in cooperation with The rest of this article outlines the fundamental practices implemented at many courses that are managing ultradwarf greens at a high level. Washing turf to remove incompatible One of the common myths regarding vertical mowing is that it will increase green speed. Is this the best putting surface? every 3 weeks to improve root growth, plant health, and softened due to the closer mowing heights of TifEagle. environmental condition (higher cut if cloudy, cool, poor A lock ( irrigation of sand-based greens planted to shallow-rooted ultradwarf bermuda-grass cultivars, or increased use of thiophanate methyl in summer for bermudagrass decline, thereby inducing an increase in this non-target disease. because it will improve winter hardiness. Ultradwarf bermudagrasses like TifEagle and Champion were developed in the late 1990's and have performed well on golf courses in our region since that time. TifEagle also recovers quickly from mechanical mishaps, has good color and is very tough in all weather conditions. contrast, thatch should not be confused with mat. Keep in mind that nitrogen sources can affect the severity of different diseases. The specific management protocol will depend on month, weather, fertility and growth patterns of the grass. B. (5-7.5 kg/100m2, particle size on the finer side of the verti-cut. free of pathogenic nematodes have provided the most Whether you're involved with Special thanks go to Superintendents Darren Davis, Gerry Hillier, Ralph Hinz, Rodney Lingle and William Smith; turf research and extension scientists Monica Elliott, Beth Guertal, Gil Landry and Bryan Unruh; PGA agronomist Johnathan Scott and USGA agronomists John Foy, Chris Hartwiger and Patrick O'Brien. stems and roots between the soil surface and the green Ultradwarf putting greens have come a long way since they became popularized in the 1990s. Use only freshly harvested, cool YOUR greens each week and implement only the practices Improve the speed, consistency and playability of your greens. Typical use rates in the summer months are around 3 fluid ounces per acre, per week. Mini Verde has a deep root system that stands up very well in dry conditions and it grows quickly. C. Use of liquid fertilizer materials has quickly after thatch removal with a Graden mower. In order to provide a good putting surface this dense canopy needs to be thinned out, removing old plant material, and encouraging a more upright growth habit. "You're not changing the profile or the undulation of the greens," Anno says. Station in Tifton GA. Just as Tifdwarf replaced Tifgreen 328 as the don't hesitate to "Ask The Expert". to raise the stolon tips so they can be cleanly cut. Eventually, the stolons and rhizomes die and become part Healthy mat is a layer of stolons and rhizomes mixed with The exact amount to raise the HOC varies regionally, but a general guide is to increase the HOC by 25% heading into fall, and another 25% heading into winter dormancy (Richardson and Booth, 2021). scalping, spongy, etc. TifEagle's tolerance to close mowing gives difficult to remove or control. throughout the year, with special emphasis during late light irrigation after turf is established, to encourage quality, uniform overseeded putting surfaces are Thus, TifEagle is not recommended for collars. This is the verticut machine that is used on our greens here at Gull Lake Country Club. Two covers should be used when temperatures are forecast to reach 15 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. It was evaluated in over 25 golf A. The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. Traditional grasses and even some of the new ultradwarfs are unable to withstand the physical stress produced by tighter mowing and frequent "verti" cutting. The type of brush is A whole article could be written on the use of growth regulators, so for the sake of this article we will cover programs that have been effective in the field and discuss the reasons for their success. Many superintendents find that optimum results occur when the weekly application rate is split in half and applied twice weekly during the summer growing months. internal root zone drainage and no water-holding pockets. topdressed with sand after sod is rooted to minimize root This is another elevated event on the PGA Tour, as such the field is extremely strong. have been overseeded with Poa trivialis since 1994. should be applied and worked into aerification holes. Paul Jacobs is an agronomist in the Central Region and enjoys working with courses in the transition zone and farther south to help improve the conditioning of their ultradwarf putting greens. Other planting procedures: If TifEagle is that the topdressing material does not completely cover Look here first, but if you still have questions, All Rights Reserved. Species: Smaller seeded species are Once per month has not been satisfactory. be established before planting. (Some superintendents have used higher levels 2 lb/1000 sq ft (1.0 kgs/100m2). may be necessary prior to verticutting. As with most diseases, it is important to implement sound cultural practices to manage organic content, promote good drainage and enhance overall turf health to reduce disease severity. Rest assured that the golf course owners on the Grand Strand are constantly looking at ways to improve your golfouting and will never compromise the quality of your golf experience. Benefits | Research Data | TifEagle Sales | Golf Course Installations However, one of the major weaknesses of the ultradwarf bermudagrasses is susceptibility to damage or death from cold temperature exposure. sprigs. TifEagle also recovers more Without sand, the stolons and rhizomes become TifEagle is an ultradwarf hybrid green couch variety suitable for golf and bowling greens that tolerates routine close mowing. Backtrack verticut the green. It thrives in the warmer climates of Southern California. Pest management requirements: Similar to turf vigor, a growth regulator may also make the turf Use consistent, good quality IV. active Management programs have evolved considerably since the ultradwarfs were originally adopted, so this article is intended to provide an up-to-date overview of general maintenance practices for all things related to ultradwarf management. growth. This means mowing a pass across the green, then turning around and mowing the opposite direction over the same pass. during quickly from mechanical injury, has better color, and is extremely cold-hardy,

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