The type of grass used on fairways depends largely on the location of the course. If the course is located in the northern part of the U.S., it must put up with cold winters and more than the average rainfall. Consequently, it probably has some variety of bentgrass, ryegrass or zoysiagrass planted on its fairways because each thrives in cold weather and has a great appearance in the summer. If the course is in the South, it might have its fairways planted with Bermuda grass, while in the rough, you are liable to run into bahiagrass because both do well in hot weather.
Bentgrass
There are more than 100 varieties of bentgrass and many golf courses are covered in it, especially public golf courses that get a lot of players because it is so durable. It can be cut very short and it stays green with very little water. The most common form of bentgrass is creeping bentgrass that creates a dense cover and is impervious to most weeds. Another species is called velvet bentgrass and has the narrowest of leaves of all the other bentgrasses. You'll likely find this grass on the best of golf courses because they can afford the added upkeep that this species requires.
Bermuda Grass
You will find golf courses in the southern half of the U.S. that have this grass on their fairways. It grows fast and can withstand golfers' divots better than most other grasses. Its aggressive ability to replace other, less durable varieties hasn't been a problem for most golf courses, but it has for many gardeners at home who have chosen this variety.
Zoysiagrass
Have you seen a fairway that was so colorless, you thought it contained dead grass? In most cases, it has been planted with a species of zoysiagrass that becomes dormant during the winter when it is drier and the temperature comes down. Zoysiagrass grows more slowly than most other varieties, but it creates a thick mat and can withstand a lot of foot traffic. And zoysiagrass needs less fertilizer to ward off pests and only occasional cutting, making it popular with greens keepers.
Ryegrass
More than any other variety, this one is the most popular found on golf courses in the northern part of the U.S. It can be mowed almost down to the roots, and it can withstand more foot traffic than most other types. But ryegrass does have its limitations. In areas where the ground temperature reaches near zero degrees, ryegrass will die. So many groundskeepers, aware of this problem, overseed their courses with a mixture of this and other varieties to cope with this problem.
About The Author
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic." He graduated from the University of Louisville.
