Influence of mowing height of cut and frequency for golf tournament preparation on putting green ball roll distance and turfgrass quality

Abstract

In preparation for golf course tournaments, turfgrass managers often seek increased ball roll distances on putting greens. The objective of this study was to determine the effect mowing height and frequency had on ball roll distance during simulated tournament conditions. Two 14-d field experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016 at the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center located in University Park, PA. Each study was conducted on a 'Penn A-4' creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.; CBG) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.; ABG) putting green. Plots measured 1.5 m by 3.0 m and were arranged in a randomized complete block design with a 3 × 3 factorial treatment structure. For the main effect of height of cut (HOC), mowers were set to a bench height of 2.1 mm, 2.5 mm, and 2.9 mm. For mowing frequency (MF), plots were mowed once, twice, or four times per day. Single cut (SC) and double cut (DC) treatments were performed in the morning whereas double-double cut (DD) treatments consisted of a DC in the morning and again in the afternoon. Ball roll distance (BRD) and turfgrass quality were assessed. Although a few interactions were present in the ABG study, the main effects of HOC and MF were significant on 79% and 82% rating dates, respectively. On CBG, the main effect of HOC and MF were significant on 89% and 86% of rating dates. For both species, turfgrass quality was reduced during the trial as HOC was reduced and MF was increased. INTRODUCTIONPutting greens are the most intensely managed playing surfaces on golf courses. Ball roll distance (BRD), often referred to as "green speed" by golfers, and trueness of the ball's roll across a green have a major impact on the playability of putting surfaces. For golfers, green speed is directly associ-