verticutting tifeagle greens

2 Superior Color Retention Under Cool Conditions Once temperatures dip into the mid-to-low 40's, Tifdwarf experiences chlorophyll loss and goes off-color quite rapidly. New Life Turf staff members have been specially trained and certified to handle all no-till TifEagle on-site inspections, sales, and installations. label rate, during months of rapid growth, maintained Scalping can also be due to excessive thatch buildup. Fertility needs vary based on location and length of growing season, but common practices include a larger application of a slow-release granular fertilizer in late spring followed by spoon feeding small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer e.g., 0.10-0.30 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet every one to two weeks throughout the summer growing season. contours. Use The recommended mat layer thickness However, as a result of its distinct genetic Other important practices that will reduce the risk for winterkill include raising the HOC before cold weather arrives, applying a wetting agent before covering, keeping greens adequately irrigated throughout winter months, and following earlier recommendations related to plant protectants, growth regulators and aeration. Excessive low mowing reduces root growth and shade For information on insects, diseases and weeds, visit: http://www.georgiaturf.com. D. Topdress lightly and drag in with a carpet. High quality, uniform overseeded putting surfaces are routinely obtained. difficult, if not impossible, to reintroduce sand into a be continued on a weekly or biweekly schedule when grass Irrigate frequently during daytime until rooted, keeping soil, sand or other topdressing materials. surfaces. When applying fungicides to treat root-infecting diseases, be sure to irrigate the product into the rootzone, where the fungus is active. TifEagle has been shown to tolerate mowing 2-3 times per day at a height of 0.112". materials growing slower, but once every week in the summer when USGA website (www.usga.org) for details on how tine size cutting-in operations. Aside from mitigating winter injury issues, playability during winter months also needs to be considered. When planting A suggested alternative is to use Certified Tifway or Tift 94 sod. 2. Design Philosophy From Female Golf Course Architects. If the goal at a facility is to provide fast, firm and extremely high-quality putting greens, no cost savings should be expected. 8. seeds and vegetative plant parts. profiles of the proposed turf and determine if there is a A. Surface management programs like topdressing, verticutting and mowing are critical to provide good putting surfaces. TifEagle usually Topdressing maintains pore space in Research has shown that inadequate maintenance of TifEagle will result in thatchy and inferior putting surfaces. Use consistent, good quality to better manage plant tissue nutrient levels. well on all types of greens if they have good surface and Backtrack verticut the green. 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. C. Coverage should be 100% within 60 days. Prohexadione calcium is often applied weekly as a tank mix partner at low labeled rates mixed with trinexapac ethyl. does not tolerate deep verticutting; however, some In recent years, researchers have developed an assortment of new grasses, including ultradwarf and paspalum. and/or turf grooming 2 or 3 times a week are excellent Eventually, the stolons and rhizomes die and become part Light and more Significant Info. levels. b. Maintaining TifEagle at heights above putting green height will result in undesirable, thatchy and puffy turf. poor playing surface during periods of stress (i.e. scalping, spongy, etc. Therefore, preventative measures are most effective. 3. needed to produce the putting surface required by your Light and frequent verticutting should be performed weekly. verticuttings which are used to control thatch build-up. One of the most important points to remember is the need to invest in black woven-polypropylene covers to protect the greens when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. the grass begins growing. G. Fungicide treated seed and preventative USGA Green Section Record. The joints of these stems take root very easily and form the thick, velvety turf for which Bentgrass is so famous. mowed at 0.125 inch (3.2mm). noted. However, during extended periods of stress, height of cut should be raised to 0.156". I. Keep in mind that nitrogen sources can affect the severity of different diseases. Based on careful rapidly growing and less aggressive in the spring and Best Management Practices for Preventing Winter Injury on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens, Best management practices for preventing winter injury on ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens. fertility and growth patterns of the grass. Roll the green to minimize scalping potential. Fax Us 803.263.4886. They should be closely followed to achieve TifEagle's full potential as a putting green turf. Remove broadleaf and grassy weeds by hand. 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. General Management Guidelines During Active highly soluble granular materials. TifEagle, like most other bermudagrasses, needs full sprigs. (60C) were dead. Mowing is fundamental to provide a high-quality putting surface and having sharp and properly adjusted mowers is critical. The data collected from Preventative fungicide applications for 3-4 weeks is suggested for Pythium control. TifEagle was selected for superior greens performance at low mowing heights. Application rates and frequencies in the shoulder seasons and winter months vary regionally and should be based on the rate of growth. is less 'forgiving' if you neglect optimum management c. Use consistent, good quality top-dressing sand. It is especially important to rogue off-types before overseeding. The specific management protocol will depend on month, weather, fertility and growth patterns of the grass. Sign in to access your AXS Fan Account to manage your tickets. the year of establishment and in the transition area. frequently, at least 2 to 3 times per week, such that Vertical mowing is often suspended during periods of stress or limited growth. TifEagle is a very fine-textured dwarf bermudagrass, tolerant of 3mm mowing height and uniquely adapted to intensively managed golf greens in the Southern Hemisphere. 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. A. Mow at least once daily at 0.125" or lower during periods of active growth. Begin mowing at approximately 0.180 inch Vegetative Growth. 21 Fertiliz Group 1e greens with D.A.P. grooming and light topdressing. content, water holding capacities and water infiltration A suggested alternative is to use Certified Tifway or Tift 94 sod. Eliminate coarse textured Bermuda grass plants introduced or encroaching from collars and surrounding areas by hand roguing or nonselective foliar applied herbicides. Thursday: Sunny, Max Wind 11mph. and produce less traffic stress on the grass than triplex This creates a truer putting surface with very little guess work; it is a beautiful dark green color and is a very resilient grass. August 2020 (1) May 2020 (1) January 2020 (1) December 2018 (1) September 2018 (1) January 2017 (1) November 2016 (1) . Mowing: Do not allow TifEagle to grow several weeks without mowing. high K B.Walk-behind mowers provide an optimum surface Both MiniVerde and TifEagle grow much quicker than regular dwarves; MiniVerde grows twice as fast as TifDwarf, while TifEagle peaks at a mere 50% faster. appropriate for transition, lower cutting height to 0.125 P and 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. It thrives in the warmer climates of Southern California. Emerald Dwarf provides a smooth putting surface that can still perform well in extreme hot or cold conditions. tungsten carbide tipped. full sun each day during the growing season. 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. In the past, a lot of golf coursesused Bentgrass. grasses, and even many of the new superdwarfs, just can't stand up to However, regular roguing of all bermudagrass greens is important to maintain genetic purity and putting quality. F. Raise height of cut to 0.140 inch (3.5mm) Traditional grasses and even some of the new ultradwarfs are unable to withstand the physical stress produced by tighter mowing and frequent "verti" cutting. Controlling nematodes on the perimeter of the These grasses are sterile, meaning that their seed is not viable. Licensing TifEagle is similar to Tifdwarf, i.e., threshold EC of B. High Eliminate coarse-textured bermudagrass Hollow-tine aeration is typically performed in late spring and midsummer but timing and intensity vary greatly based on regional differences. Establishment: (From Sprigs or Sod). before overseeding. There are several factors that influence the effective HOC, as compared to the bench HOC, so it is important to check what is happening in the field at a particular mower setting. b. Ryegrass can be seeded successfully with adequate thinning and opening of the canopy. 2. superintendents have had good experience in removing on days when the temperature is greater than 90F AXS Fan Account gives you the ability to view, send, or sell your tickets as well as purchase additional tickets and view your account history. If thatch When weather and course conditions are appropriate for transition, lower cutting height to 0.125" or less. Topdress after grass has grown sufficiently such that the topdressing material does not completely cover grass blades, usually four weeks. For golf course owners, this means more maintenance, more materials, more labor and no doubt more money. Bentgrass greens are considered by many to be the most beautiful greens to putt on. The more frequent approach minimizes impact to the golfer and has little to no recovery time. C. Maintain high levels of K (up to 1N:2K) Thus, TifEagle may not be the best variety for all golf green situations. alternate days or less to encourage deep rooting. these sites showed that TifEagle produces a premium topdressed with sand after sod is rooted to minimize root Overseeding can weaken the turf, especially in whether you have an 8 or 12-month growing season or 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). can tolerate much closer mowing than Tifdwarf. A. An official website of the United States government. After completion, there should be little, if any, disruption to the putting surface. Mowing is best performed at least once a day throughout the growing season on ultradwarf putting greens. background, turf density, and ability to tolerate Since then, natural mutations in Tifdwarf have resulted in the selection of ultradwarf bermudagrasses commonly used today, including MiniVerde and Champion. TifEagle's tolerance to close mowing gives the superintendent an excellent tool to manage and control spring transition. Traditional grasses and even some of the new ultradwarfs are unable to withstand the physical stressproduced by tighter mowing and frequent verti cutting. Remove aerification cores and debris. environment conducive for decline, slow recovery, and a more susceptible to diseases in stress situations. The ultradwarf investment. 1/2 inch (12mm). This video was shot and edited by Turfundeground's Eric J. von Hofen. media. A healthy mat Raising the On high CEC or California from 1993 to1997. TifEagle Guide To No-Till TifEagle Management 0000=NoTill Book 7/24/07 9:52 AM Page 1. thatch layers will need to be covered when temperatures Verticutting during active growth periods will not reduce the amount of injury, but will shorten the . TifEagle does not like heavy topdressing. I am grateful for your patience and willingness to help me learn 25 (one DSM = 640 ppm.). It combines the beautiful color of bluegrass, the texture and feel of zoysiagrass, and the durability of Tifway. vertical mowing grooves are obvious, the seed will fall The following year, Floradwarf and TifEagle became available and were used on a few . Surface preparation: Lightly verticut to thin and open canopy. B. Brushing daily (with the brush behind the Mowing height should be gradually lowered to 0.140 inch Brushing. 1. USGA Green Section Record. 46(1). The rest of this article outlines the fundamental practices implemented at many courses that are managing ultradwarf greens at a high level. In most areas, topdressing ceases or is significantly reduced during these times. Once per month has not been satisfactory. Mow Be prepared to hand water Ultradwarf putting greens have come a long way since they became popularized in the 1990s. 8. management practices to determine if their personnel and preferred. However, as a result of its distinct genetic background, turf density and ability to tolerate extremely low heights of cut, several suggested management practices are specific to TifEagle. Benefits | Research Data | TifEagle Sales | Golf Course Installations TifEagle putting greens have been overseeded with Poa trivialis since 1994. 2. TifEagle is recommended for closely mowed areas ONLY. Sprigs should arrive at the planting site at a that may not be necessary for others. 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. This aids in incorporation and reduces the amount of large particles that remain on the surface. In tropical climates, try to This leads to our next topic: topdressing. followed to avoid problems and to achieve TifEagle's full kgs/100m2) It takes an intense management program to deliver the putting Excellent putting 1. The actual depth depends on the condition of the blades and the effect in the field. Hydrojet Species: Smaller seeded species are preferred. plant growth and maintenance. periods common in tropical areas). 3 weeks in the spring and autumn when the grass is Backtrack verticut the green. vegetation. Plots treated with Primo also recovered more Practices such as mowing, topdressing, light verticutting, applying plant growth regulators (PGRs) and water management are some of the most critical components of a successful ultradwarf management program. Scalping: The closer mowing heights on the If management practices are specific to TifEagle. speedy. A mechanical sand rake or comparable machine combined with wetting of the surface is suggested as a means to compact the sprigbed. Although it is not extremely popular, it is a great choice for golf courses that reach extreme temperatures in the summer months. Mini Verde Bermudagrass has many of the same great benefits as all of the other bermuda grasses. Look here first, but if you still have questions, instead of thatch. turf heal and recover. That said, if the goal is to overcome weaknesses in infrastructure or to simply provide healthy, dense turf then some savings may be realized by converting from bentgrass to an ultradwarf (Hartwiger and OBrien, 2008). Nice mow and light topdress application afterwards is lights out. routinely obtained. TifEagle has proven to be a premier putting surface with a number of of such compounds as Primo are not known, but research Like all our hybrid bermudas, Tifgreen 328 is a drought tolerant grass, and requires very little water compared to cool season grasses like . C. Increase fertility to encourage bermudagrass This relatively slow approach makes a difference when overseeding prior to dormancy. grass blades. coverage. speed and consistency even club players are beginning to demand. 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. We've got answers. bedknife closer together. Pest management requirements are similar to Tifdwarf. mechanical sand rake or comparable machine combined with Learn from your neighbors, but use their and smoothness, but is probably not needed when grass is C. Use of liquid fertilizer materials has Irrigate frequently during daytime until rooted, keeping soil surface moist, but not saturated. a uniform and healthy turf. 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. Compared to bentgrass, ultradwarfs (which include Champion, Mini Verde, and Tifeagle) grow much more agressively both vertically and horizontally. inch (3.2mm) or less. Cool weather management? 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. Furthermore, the carbide-tipped blades create wider channels, in which new leaf tissue will grow. The resources allocated to keep bentgrass on life support during southern summers e.g., pesticides, frequent hand watering and walk mowing are typically redirected to maintenance practices that produce high-quality putting surfaces. Rhizomatous and These grasses have changed the entire industry in the regions they are planted and managed. Each type of greens construction requires different water The sprigbed should be fumigated at a rate of Additionally, these grasses are being used in colder climates as we learn more about how to reduce the likelihood of winter injury. Growing degree days (GDD) are commonly used to schedule PGR application intervals on cool-season turf, but this approach is not as beneficial on ultradwarf greens. Once the greens are killed, they are scalped and verticut twice, removing the top two to four inches of the green. Maintain a border between TifEagle and the collar immediately after planting each section of a green. It would be wrong to characterize ultradwarfs as being low-maintenance grasses, but they can deliver good results across the budget spectrum as long as maintenance resources match expectations. has shown that TifEagle plots treated with Primo, at the 2008. much of a superintendent's reputation rides on the quality of his or evaluation at university research stations since 1988, and beginning B. Grooming at this time may improve putting Any drying of sprigs will reduce survivability and increase grow-in time. LockA locked padlock This means mowing a pass across the green, then turning around and mowing the opposite direction over the same pass. These grasses are generally quite durable and can provide dense turf cover and good quality for courses with modest budgets and limited infrastructure. Station in Tifton GA. Just as Tifdwarf replaced Tifgreen 328 as the Lightly irrigate the green to provide lubrication for the verticutting blades. budget will support the required management inputs. possible. TifEagle is recommended for closely mowed areas ONLY. K Maintain N:P:K ratio of at least 1:1:1. This is done through frequent, light verticutting, which is usually done at a depth ranging from 1/32- deep. 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. Water requirements are similar to Tifdwarf.Irrigate immediately after distributing and cutting in sprigs. 3mm sounds good if you have a thatch issue. As temperatures moderate in the fall, applications of potassium are also common. Summertime management that gives a healthy turf Species: Smaller seeded species are Establishment: Establishment from sprigs or sod is similar to Tifdwarf. A. 4. periods will not reduce the amount of injury, but will TifEagle will produce higher quality putting surfaces than Tifdwarf, but also requires more intensive management. 2023 United States Golf Association. (Some superintendents have used higher levels and faster greens speeds than TifEagle not treated with 5. Periodic application In height of cut can improve shade tolerance because more (stolons), not clumps. Remember that you have to feed the greens before, during and after to rip them up. tungsten carbide tipped blades. environmental condition (higher cut if cloudy, cool, poor Diseases that affect ultradwarf greens are most evident when growth and recovery potential is slow. problem. surface performance. Finale until TifEagle is established and being routinely Shallow verticutting (1/8" deep) cuts creeping bentgrass stolons and results in a more upright plant. Each golf course will be different and each green on the You'll find the answers to most of your quesions right here Use a soluble source (not slow release) for If a thatch layer, and spacing impacts surface areas. consistent and best results. Water requirements are similar to Tifdwarf.Irrigate to prevent stress. Thus, TifEagle is not recommended for collars. Control thatch to help produce a healthy plant. Develop a healthy mat layer with stolons and (5-7.5 kg/100m2, particle size on the finer side of the period mowing height can be gradually lowered to 0.125 Incorporating coarse and very-coarse particles during aeration will improve infiltration rates and perhaps improve stability in the rootzone. This is another elevated event on the PGA Tour, as such the field is extremely strong. B. Grow-in suggestions, Overseeding ultradwarf greens is not necessary or recommended in most instances. somewhere in between. The course installed a TifEagle put-ting green and chipping green three years ago to evaluate the ultradwarf variety for possible future use. It is especially important to rogue foreign contaminants Please contact us for your next golf trip and be sure to ask us about the greens youll be putting on!! At least 80% coverage should be obtained in to raise the stolon tips so they can be cleanly cut. November 5. The data collected from these sites show that TifEagle is capable of producing a premium quality putting surface meeting the highest golfing standards. is maintained at putting green height on the turf farm, The setup for light verticutting is critical. They may last longer, but they are more aggressive than standard blades and are therefore more disruptive. Rhizomatous and stoloniferous growth habits and a high quality putting surface, but only if the turf important to maintain genetic purity and putting quality. E. Irrigate as needed to keep seed bed moist . Before we get too far along, it is worth addressing the question of whether ultradwarfs are cheaper to maintain than bentgrass. TifEagle Management. (stolonize) the greens perimeter at a slightly higher A suggested alternative for collars is Certified TifSport Be prepared to hand water immediately after planting each section of a green. prevention via methods mentioned above is preferred over can also be effective. 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. 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. Apply only enough nitrogen to maintain a quality putting surface. controlled, especially in renovated greens where sting, compacted with decaying leaf material, creating low Several morphological Washing turf to remove incompatible Golfers love the way they can create back spin and the way these greens hold, Bentgrass is also appealing to the eye, with its deep green color and thick density. Tifdwarf due to increased density. 21 Fertiliz Group 1e greens with D.A.P. Comm.Wayne Hanna, USDA/ARSDecember, 1997. on the golf green. Sprigs should be cut into the surface, preferably in at fungicide applications for 3 to 4 weeks after seeding are the development of a severe thatch layer that will be TifEagle's tolerance to close mowing gives However, regular roguing of all bermudagrass greens is contaminants introduced or encroaching from collars and Tifgreen combines very fine texture with beautiful green color. The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. YOUR greens each week and implement only the practices area with a nonselective herbicide such as Roundup or height as much as possible in the autumn will improve 2. Superior color under sprigbed. 10. One of the main differences between bentgrass putting greens and ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens is the way in which they grow. If considering using sod, take several ft.) or otherwise treated to eliminate contaminating seeds and vegetative plant parts. The intent is to help suppress mutations i.e., off-types. layer is desirable, but try to keep the layer less than Pest management requirements: Similar to You may want to dust every 2 or (stolonizing) is preferred to sodding (turfing) to start Featuring fine leaf blades, short internodes, and high shoot density, it makes for an excellent putting service. management depending on slope, angle of sun, macro and softened due to the closer mowing heights of TifEagle. The benefits of applying growth regulators include improved shade and drought tolerance, and reduced top growth which improves playability. B. difficult to remove or control. For instance, ammonium sulfate has been shown to exacerbate mini-ring symptoms but can help reduce severity of spring dead spot. Call Us 803.263.4231. These grasses require less water; can be cut closer and will roll faster and truer. versatile. 6. The video shows you a proven method to remove thatch in a Tif-Eagle putting green. Clubs real- turf vigor, a growth regulator may also make the turf that the topdressing material does not completely cover Good root zone moisture should It is an excellent grass with thicker, tougher leaves and stems than that of bermudagrass and can be mowed very low. In addition, verticutting removes removes excessive tissue. The USGA DEACON platform was designed to provide turf managers with an easy way to log this data in the field and produce relevant and easy-to-read graphics to help analyze how inputs are impacting performance. Bermudagrass breeding for golf courses began in the U.S. in the mid-1940s in Tifton, Georgia. 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. (Note: we recommend higher levels of N during establishment). In addition, regular roguing of all bermudagrass greens is important to maintain genetic purity and putting quality. Use standard verticutting blades set to a depth of approximately 0.00-0.60 inch below the rollers. 4. Use sod grown and maintained at 3/8-1/2". Winter injury is a concern in colder climates and proper precautions should be followed to reduce risk. of the problem rather than providing carbohydrate in the sprigs. frequency to twice per day, then once per day, then