From the USGA Green Section
By Pat Gross, Agronomist Western Region
Frost –Many golfers in the Southwest are hearing the familiar words “The golf course is temporarily closed until the frost melts”. It may sound hard to believe, but grass blades can crack and die when traffic is applied to frozen turf. A more serious concern is damage to the turfgrass crown (the base of the plant that produces new leaves), which kills the entire plant. All species of turf are sensitive to frost damage, including dormant bermudagrass, but the biggest concern is creeping bentgrass and Poa annua putting greens because there is very little leaf surface to protect the turfgrass crowns. The dead turf often persists for several weeks or months until warmer temperatures encourage active growth.
Unfortunately, the only things that will melt frost are sunlight and warmer temperatures, so golfers need to be patient and let Mother Nature do her work. The light application of water once temperatures are above 32°F can accelerate frost removal, but keep in mind that temperatures often dip for a brief period immediately after sunrise. Applying water at sunrise can backfire, causing even more frost that will take longer to melt. Watering shaded areas of the course to help melt the frost should be avoided because temperatures stay cooler for a longer period of time due to the shade. Some superintendents have experimented with darkening agents (charcoal or soot), wetting agents, fans, and a variety of other materials, but these end up causing a mess or more problems and do very little to help get golfers on the course sooner.
Here are a few tips that superintendents and course officials should consider when frost is a recurring issue during the winter. First, play should be delayed for at least 30 minutes after the frost melts to allow maintenance personnel to change holes, mow, and prepare the course for play. During this time, it is helpful to have two-way radios so the superintendent and his staff can communicate with the golf shop and keep everyone informed. Second, have an operational plan for scheduling golf play during periods of frost. In some cases, you may want to start play on the back nine if that section of the course tends to thaw faster, or some courses simply schedule a standard 10:00 a.m. shot-gun start during the winter when frost is a recurring problem. Third, you may wish to analyze areas of the course where frost persists and see if trees that are blocking morning sun can be pruned or removed to help melt the frost faster. Above all, it is important for golfers to be patient during frost delays. Although superintendents are very clever and resourceful professionals, there is little they can do make Mother Nature melt the frost any faster.