Basic Principles of Greenkeeping

This relates to the traditional grass species in a golf or bowling green of red fescue and browntop bentgrass, and not newer species which are sometimes used, such as creeping bentgrass.

In addition, it should be considered that the soil type would mostly have been of a sandy loam / loamy sand and not the higher sand specification constructions of many modern greens.

A firm soil and grass surface that is dry is what produces the best golf, not a lush, soft, surface (Zontek, 2010) and this is what provides the foundation for understanding the basic principles of greenkeeping.

The basic principles emphasise the following:
1. Apply fertiliser which encourages the long-term survival of the desired grass species:
• Nitrogen is the most important nutrient, and the source should be acid reacting, such as ammonium sulphate.
• The created acid soil conditions are favoured by the desirable red fescue and browntop bent grasses; these conditions would also discourage most weed species.
• Phosphorus and Potassium should not be applied as a routine matter, but only if there is a deficiency. This seems to be the area, which is most problematic, i.e. in determining what is actually defined or expressed as deficient and how this is represented in practice and the impact it might actually have on the condition of a fine turfgrass sward.
• Don’t force grass growth, emphasise natural growth.

2. Regular aeration to encourage deeper rooting of grasses.

3. Mowing at correct heights of cut and not shaving the turf.

4. Mechanical vertical actions – at the time this would have been raking (scarification), but modern practices would also include verti-cutting and grooming within this section.

5. Irrigation to keep the grass alive but not to create a lush green surface. The aim being to produce dry firm greens.

6. Regular top-dressings to maintain good surface evenness and also to act as a supply of nutrients which would be slowly available to the grass plant.

Directly related to and underpinning the basic principles is that of the Acid Theory.

Sources:
Radko,A. M. (1977), Green is not great’ USGA Golf Journal. 30(7):34-37

Arthur, Jim (2003), ‘Basic Principles of Greenkeeping’, 2nd Edn, in Practical Greenkeeping, pp34-47,

Stanley J. Zontek (2010), Understanding and Appreciating Firmness. USGA Green Section Record Vol. 48 (22) November 5, 2010,