Decoding the Greens: A Look at How Putting Green Grasses Affect Putting

There are three main types of grass varieties which dominate putting greens. They include Bermudagrass, Bentgrass and Poa Annua. The type of grass on a putting green has a significant impact on how a putt rolls, affecting everything from speed and break to the overall feel of the putt. Here's a breakdown of how different grasses influence putting:  

1. Speed:

• Bermudagrass: Generally creates slower greens due to its coarser texture and more grain. However, with advanced maintenance techniques, some bermudagrass varieties can be groomed to produce faster speeds.
• Bentgrass: Known for producing fast greens due to its fine texture and dense growth. It allows for very close mowing, resulting in a smooth, quick putting surface.
• Poa Annua: Can be quite fast, especially when maintained closely. However, its rapid growth can lead to inconsistencies in speed if not managed properly.

2. Grain:

• Bermudagrass: Exhibits significant grain, meaning the grass blades tend to grow in a particular direction. Putts with the grain will be faster, while those against the grain will be slower. Grain can also influence the break of a putt.  
• Bentgrass: Has less grain than bermudagrass, but it can still affect ball roll. Understanding the grain pattern on bentgrass greens is important for accurate putting.  
• Poa Annua: Typically has minimal grain due to its vertical growth habit.

3. Break:

• Bermudagrass: The strong grain in bermudagrass can accentuate the break of a putt. Putts may break more dramatically with the grain and less so against it.  
• Bentgrass: While grain is less pronounced, it can still influence the break. Additionally, the smoothness of bentgrass greens can make it easier to judge the break.
• Poa Annua: The lack of significant grain makes the break on poa annua greens primarily determined by the slope of the green.

4. Smoothness:

• Bentgrass: Generally provides the smoothest putting surface due to its fine texture and ability to withstand close mowing.  
• Poa Annua: Can be smooth when well-maintained, but its rapid growth and potential for seedhead formation can lead to inconsistencies in smoothness.
• Bermudagrass: While newer varieties are smoother, bermudagrass greens can sometimes be less smooth than bentgrass or poa annua due to their coarser texture.

5. Feel:

• Bentgrass: Offers a firm, responsive feel, allowing for a crisp, clean strike.
• Poa Annua: Can feel slightly spongy, especially when wet, and may offer less feedback than bentgrass.
• Bermudagrass: Provides a softer feel compared to bentgrass, which some golfers prefer.

Important Note:

The type of grass is just one factor that affects putting. Other factors, such as mowing height, green speed, moisture levels, and the overall condition of the green, also play a crucial role.

Ultimately, understanding the characteristics of the grass you're putting on can help you make better decisions about your stroke, speed, and line, leading to more successful putts.