A Guide to Putting Green Grass Across the US

Last week, we looked at how putting green grasses affect your putting. Today we’re going to look at the types of grasses used across the diverse climates of the United States, where a variety of grasses thrive, each with its own unique characteristics.

Understanding these grasses can enhance your appreciation for the game and even improve your putting strategy. Here's a breakdown of the most common putting green grasses you'll encounter across the US:

Bentgrass:

Characteristics: Known for its fine texture, dense growth, and ability to be mowed extremely short, bentgrass is a premier choice for putting greens. It creates a smooth, fast surface that allows for precise putting.

Climate: Thrives in cool, humid climates, making it prevalent in the northern and transitional regions of the US. This is the dominant player on the East Coast, especially in the northern states. The cooler, more humid climate is ideal for bentgrass to thrive. You'll find it on many championship courses and older, established clubs.

Challenges: Requires meticulous maintenance, including frequent mowing, fertilization, and disease control. Susceptible to heat stress in warmer climates.  

Bermudagrass:

Characteristics: A warm-season grass with a coarser texture than bentgrass, bermudagrass is highly tolerant of heat and drought. It creates a durable surface that can withstand heavy traffic.

Climate: Dominant in the southern and southwestern regions of the US, where temperatures are consistently high. Bermudagrass is exceptionally well-suited to Florida's climate, which is hot and humid, with periods of drought. It can withstand high temperatures and requires less water than some other grasses. 

Challenges: Goes dormant and turns brown in cooler temperatures, requiring overseeding with ryegrass in some areas to maintain a green surface during winter. Grain can also be a significant factor in bermudagrass greens.  

Poa annua (Annual Bluegrass):

Characteristics: A cool-season grass that can be either annual or perennial, poa annua is often considered a weed but is also intentionally used on some putting greens. It can create a smooth surface when properly managed, but its inconsistent growth can lead to bumpy conditions.  

Climate: Adaptable to a wide range of climates, but particularly common in cooler regions. This is a very common sight on West Coast putting greens, especially in California and the Pacific Northwest. It handles the mild, often foggy conditions well. Iconic courses like Pebble Beach are known for their Poa annua greens.

Challenges: Produces seedheads that can affect the smoothness of the putting surface. Its growth is notoriously inconsistent, producing uneven putting surfaces. It is also highly susceptible to disease.  

Zoysiagrass:

Characteristics: A warm-season grass known for its dense, thick growth and fine to medium texture. It provides a durable and attractive surface.

Climate: Common in the transitional zone between warm and cool climates.

Challenges: Zoysia grass is a slow grower, which can make divot recovery slow. It also goes dormant and turns brown in cooler temperatures.  

Important Notes:

Regional variations exist. Some courses may use blends of grasses or newer varieties specifically bred for putting greens, offering finer textures and faster speeds.

Maintenance matters: Regardless of the grass type, proper maintenance is crucial. A well-maintained Poa annua green can be just as smooth and fast as a bentgrass green, and vice versa.

Trends are changing: With climate change and advancements in turfgrass breeding, you may see some shifts in what grasses are used in different regions in the future.

Ultimately, the best putting green grass depends on a variety of factors, including climate, soil conditions, water availability, and the specific goals of the golf course superintendent.