Weather Man says Hot, Hot, Hot!!

As we look at the forecast for the next 4 days or so the temperatures are 90 degrees plus.  How does this effect a turf plant that is known as a cool season plant?  Well to a bentgrass plant 90 degrees is getting out of the comfort zone.  Ideal temperatures for cool season grasses range from 64 to 75 degrees.  When temperatures are above this cool season range then turf may begin to show signs of stress.  The most common symptom to heat stress is wilt.  The plant shuts down physiologically and begins to use stored energy reserves to survive.  If the heat is a short term event then after a few days the plant returns to normal physiological activity but if it is long term (3-4 weeks) then the plant begins to struggle as the built up energy reserves are depleted.

So what can we do to help the plant?  You will see us syringing the plants with water during the day time.  Syringing is not like watering.  When syringing you just wet the leaf blades of the plant in order to cool the plant by the evaporation of the water off the leaf.  No water is put down into the soil so this is a very short, quick process.  You will see us hand syringing the greens and usually we use the irrigation system to syringe the fairways and tees.

Another way to protect the turf during times of heat stress is to limit the amount of mechanical stress that is allowed on the turf.  We may reduce our mowing frequencies, mow with lighter equipment or stop mowing until conditions improve.  As golfers the stress of cart traffic on wilted turf can be significant and that is when we ask that you abide by the 90 degree rule.  I have been asked by many golfers if this rule is based on a 90 degree temperature reading.  Actually it has nothing to do with temperature and everything to do with approaching your ball in a fairway at a 90 degree angle.  It is usually when we see temperatures around the 90 degree mark that we implement this rule being that the turf is showing signs of heat stress or wilting.  Driving carts across areas of wilted turf can cause damage within the plant cell wall and leaves tire tracks which then turn brown.  It takes awhile for the plant to recover from this type of mechanical damage so following the 90 degree rule when asked is very much appreciated. 

The course continues to play well even though the heat is upon us.  If you are coming out to play we will be observing the 90 degree rule with the carts for the next few days so enter the fairway at a 90 degree angle to your ball.  You may stop in the fairway then after hitting proceed back into the rough with your cart.  Conditions are dry and firm although not as dry and firm as the Olympic Club, for those of you who watched the U.S. Open.  The heat is expected to break after Thursday (6/21) so check with the pro shop regarding cart rules for the day when playing.