Grass Types for Golf Courses

The different grass types are used for different climates and density. If a golf course is in the northern part of the country, it will use a grass that can withstand the colder temperatures during the winter months. The southern states will use a grass that is meant to grow in the warmer winter temperatures.

Warm Climate Grass

The grasses used on golf courses in warmer climates will be Bahia, Bermuda and St. Augustine grass. These grasses can be used on the greens and tees, while the Bahia grass is used for landscaping and the roughs. The Bermuda grass can overtake any other grass quickly and choke it out. The Bermuda stays greener longer than other grasses and tends to grow sideways toward the sun.

Cool Climate Grass

The grasses used in cooler climates are bent grass and the rye grass. Rye grass is used for the fairways and roughs because of its dense pale green growth, while the bent grass is used fairways, tees and greens. The bent grass has a thinner blade than the Bermuda grass and does not require over seeding in the winter months. The bent grass is a plush green color that can be cut down to 1/8 inch blades and it will still thrive in summer months.

Warm and Cool Climate Grass

The grasses that can be used in warm and cool climates are blue fescue and zoysia grass. Zoysia grass is used on fairways, greens and tees, while blue fescue is used for the greens and tees. Zoysia grass gives the course a denser turf and is easy to control.

Drought Resistant Grass

Kentucky bluegrass is used in areas where drought is a problem. The grass is resistant to dry conditions and can be used on cool season golf courses by the hazards, roughs and fairways. The grass holds up to wear, which makes it ideal for golf courses where heavy traffic and limited water conditions apply.