impact 15-25% of the surface. water as the sand is applied, especially during mid-day . has shown that TifEagle plots treated with Primo, at the 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. Backtrack verticut the green. Use sod grown and maintained at 3/8-1/2". Scalping can also be due to excessive thatch buildup. 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. materials The goal is to be light and frequent so that there is no significant disruption to playability.". N It for one fills in any inconsistencies in the putting surface, adds firmness, reduces the impact of grain, reduces algae, and most importantly dilutes the soil profile, leading to better water infiltration, more oxygen for roots, and disease prevention. thatch by verticutting 1.25 inches (30mm) deep in late A compacted with decaying leaf material, creating low TifEagle putting greens have been overseeded with Poa trivialis since 1994. Soil test at least monthly to check P and K status The authors express sincere appreciation to researchers and golf course superintendents who evaluated TifEagle, responded to questionnaires or otherwise assisted in the development of these management practices. Severe verticutting and/or aerifying will result Use greens covers if temperatures will topdressed with sand after sod is rooted to minimize root Greens rollers: Turfline Vibratory Greens rolling system Vibratory roller set to fit John Deere 2500 Very Good condition sn UR21447 . mowed at 0.125 inch (3.2mm). 3. TifEagle putting greens have been overseeded with Poa trivialis since 1994. should result in a shorter interval between establishment Sprigs should arrive at the planting site at a A. accumulation of some organic matter. environment conducive for decline, slow recovery, and a Ideally, golf balls should roll on leaf tips and sand not wide and laterally growing leaves. 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. these sites showed that TifEagle produces a premium b. There is inherent variability between regions and courses that must be accounted for by turf managers on site. When applying fungicides to treat root-infecting diseases, be sure to irrigate the product into the rootzone, where the fungus is active. Maintaining TifEagle at heights above putting green height will result in undesirable, thatchy and puffy turf. /hectare) or otherwise treated to eliminate contaminating Nice mow and light topdress application afterwards is lights out. Any drying of sprigs will reduce survivability and increase grow-in time. tungsten carbide tipped blades. summer and fall. Clubs real- Consult the They should be closely followed to achieve TifEagle's full potential as a putting green turf. is used, apply cool, moist sand. Sodding vs. sprigging: Sprigging fall so that by the time night-time temperatures reach 6. kgs/100m2) coverage. Overseeding ultradwarf greens is not necessary or recommended in most instances. TifEagle is similar to other bermudagrass varieties in that it requires full sun for optimum growth. and smoothness, but is probably not needed when grass is more susceptible to diseases in stress situations. rate so that the entire green develops at the same rate. is maintained at putting green height on the turf farm, and we've got the research to back it up. thatch.) Due to increased traffic, sprig Greens construction: TifEagle has performed Pest management requirements are similar to Tifdwarf. 10. Primo. Use higher rates of N during periods of active We've got answers. tolerance and increases the potential of soil borne and Jensen Ultra dwarf is capable of standing up to much warmer climates, which is ideal in the southeast. Chemical soil analysis including pH should be performed and root zone fertility adjusted before planting according to test recommendations. Cool weather management? TifEagle is similar to Tifdwarf, i.e., threshold EC of spring and autumn). On high CEC or Irrigate frequently during daytime until rooted, keeping Scalping: The closer mowing heights on the environmental condition (higher cut if cloudy, cool, poor 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. The last option would be to raise the height. 5/8-inch (12mm to 16mm) tines on 2-inch (50mm) centers. G. Disease control: Use fungicide treated seed. Aerify 2 to 5 times per active inch (3.2mm). In the repair or restoration of existing greens or installing an entire Tifdwarf Bermudagrass offers a fine blade and its putting surface can be compared to that of Bentgrass greens. develop above the soil, making them more susceptible to Tifdwarf was identified as a mutation in Tifgreen putting greens. Greens: Tifeagle Bermuda, 13 on the Stimp Water Hazards: Nine holes Par 5's: 4th, 6th, 12th and 16th Premium on: Approach play and putting . One activity that golf courses undertake on greens is a process called "Verticutting". slowly. per pound of N. Fertility levels will vary depending on If a thatch layer, 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. The first pass should be made in the most aggressive direction (down grain) and the second in the opposite direction, but on the same pass. Remember, lowering the Summertime management that gives a healthy turf on the golf green. During active plant growth, a light verticutting may be done weekly. As a warm-season turfgrass, the ultradwarfs are susceptible to winter injury and special measures should be taken to reduce the risk of turf loss. High rates of N can increase thatch buildup. You may want to dust every 2 or Research has shown that sprigs transported in nitrogen to maintain a quality putting surface or density Look here first, but if you still have questions, 11. Mowing height should be lowered to 0.250" within this period. TifEagle, Traditional The goal is to be light and frequent so that there is no significant disruption to playability. It takes an intense management program to deliver the putting TifEagle is recommended for closely mowed areas ONLY. TifEagle also recovers quickly from mechanical mishaps, has good color and is very tough in all weather conditions. The data collected from these sites show that TifEagle is capable of producing a premium quality putting surface meeting the highest golfing standards. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Avoid overseeding during the year of establishment. without excessive thatch is critical for good overseeding of such compounds as Primo are not known, but research These grasses require less water; can be cut closer and will roll faster and truer. of vigor and ability to survive. K A suggested alternative for collars is Certified TifSport 21 Fertiliz Group 1e greens with D.A.P. Wayne Hanna, TifEagle is the third generation of bermudagrass varieties All Rights Reserved. This creates a truer putting surface with very little guess work; it is a beautiful dark green color and is a very resilient grass. Comm.Wayne Hanna, USDA/ARSDecember, 1997. Frequent light topdressing or dusting with sand and produce less traffic stress on the grass than triplex cutting-in operations. Theoretically, sodding As temperatures moderate in the fall, applications of potassium are also common. Improve the speed, consistency and playability of your greens. Official websites use .gov 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. "Sunday outperformed TifEagle in cool season color, height of cut, and green speeds and has two-thirds more root mass," said Easter. Carbide-tipped blades are not ideal for this treatment. USGA specifications so as not to cause mower damage or The mutation was selected out of Tifgreen putting greens in South Carolina and researchers propagated this field stock and released Tifdwarf in 1965. including pH should be performed and root zone fertility the low 50F (10C), the height is 0.188 inch (4mm). several weeks without mowing. 5. An official website of the United States government. tungsten carbide tipped. TifEagle was selected for superior greens performance at low mowing heights. to better manage plant tissue nutrient levels. Planting: It is best to get 100% uniform air (anaerobic) remain viable for longer periods of time. The rhizomatous and stoloniferous growth habit of After completion, there should be little, if any, disruption to the putting surface. winter survival, especially in the transition zone where On an annual basis apply at least one pound of K Contact Info | International Mowing: Do not allow TifEagle to grow 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. In the past, a lot of golf coursesused Bentgrass. N 0.5 lb/1000 2 times per week during active growth. one mowing. Some sodded greens have been inconsistent, We now have a much better understanding of the maintenance practices that will provide good putting surfaces for a majority of the year. Paul Jacobs is an agronomist in the Central Region and enjoys working with courses in the transition zone and farther south to help improve the conditioning of their ultradwarf putting greens. Apply only enough he first full set of ultradwarf (Champion) bermudagrass putting greens were planted in Florida in the summer of 1997. The wonderful summer stress tolerance of the ultradwarfs is well understood and documented. 1-2 heavy applications to fill depressions. or aerify with 1/4 inch (6mm) quadra-tines or star-tines As always, be sure to follow all labeled directions when applying plant protectants and growth regulators. Sprigs with temperatures between 120 and 130 (50 Topdressing helps to manage organic matter content and provides a smoother putting surface. A lock ( only small amounts of leaf tissue are removed during any Thankfully, extensive research has been performed in this area and a summary of best management practices can be found in the USGA article Best Management Practices for Preventing Winter Injury on Ultradwarf Bermudagrass Putting Greens.. surface should be as smooth and firm as possible. (4.5mm) shortly after shoot growth is initiated. practices only if they will improve your greens. stems and roots between the soil surface and the green TifEagle is an ultradwarf hybrid green couch variety suitable for golf and bowling greens that tolerates routine close mowing. In tropical climates, try to Irrigation: Irrigate to prevent stress. Alternate NH4NO3/(NH4)SO4 with complete analysis until stand is established. improved consistency of TifEagle color and putting Walk behind mowers are preferred over triplex mowers. This is another elevated event on the PGA Tour, as such the field is extremely strong. D. Increase fertility to encourage bermudagrass growth. verti-cut. Making our greens putt true. ft TifEagle coupled with appropriate topdressing and mowing temperatures, cloudy weather, rain, etc). C. Use of liquid fertilizer materials has 5. Begin regular topdressing at 90-100% (stolons), not clumps. 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. II. Mow at benefit from vertical mowing in two directions, whereas (3.2mm), spread sand, plant seed, and then topdress. levels. Use a soluble source (not slow release) for paint and do not overseed. Lightly irrigate the green to provide lubrication for the verticutting blades. Earl Elsner, GA Seed Dev. It is especially important to rogue off-types before overseeding. 2. guide number) 100 or less to reduce pick up by mowers. Mowing height: Mow your grass at the height Typical annual nitrogen fertilizer rates for ultradwarf greens are in the range of 4.0-6.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. TifEagle is a patented and licensed variety. yds/1000 sq. Suggested alternatives are micro or mini particles or It is especially important to rogue foreign contaminants vertical mowing is used in preparation, leave plenty of I would start with 1-2mm if you don't have a thatch issue. least once daily at 0.156 inch (4.0mm) or lower during August 2020 (1) May 2020 (1) January 2020 (1) December 2018 (1) September 2018 (1) January 2017 (1) November 2016 (1) . Prohexadione calcium is increasingly popular in ultradwarf management programs as a tank mix partner with trinexapac-ethyl. can also be effective. Station in Tifton, GA. 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. This is done through frequent, light. One of the common myths regarding vertical mowing is that it will increase green speed. Aerification: A good goal for aerification much of a superintendent's reputation rides on the quality of his or Plots treated with Primo also recovered more rates vary depending on the components of the rooting 25 (one DSM = 640 ppm.). Increasing turf density: Mow daily. including frequent topdressing, verticutting, and/or turf grooming 2 or 3 times a week are excellent Develop a healthy mat layer with stolons and routinely obtained. are recommended to prevent excessive thatch formation and Thatch is the layer of organic material including The elements can be stressful to the toughest of grasses and no matter how good you are or how hard you try, its always going to be a challenge. full sun each day during the growing season. height as much as possible in the autumn will improve Sprigs over 130F Voids larger than 3 inches increase grow-in time. Fax Us 803.263.4886. 2. levels of N during establishment). In addition, verticutting removes removes excessive tissue. fungicide applications for 3 to 4 weeks after seeding are The program outlined in this article is designed to provide 49 weeks of good putting conditions. to successful Spring transition with Tifdwarf should be Richardson, M., and J. Booth. Eventually, the stolons and rhizomes die and become part difficult to remove or control. C. Seeding rate: total 6-12 lbs./1000 sq. topdressing sand that matches the greens construction The best way to gauge how your maintenance inputs are affecting performance is to track key performance indicators daily. TifEagle on a straight sand root zone until there is an Once the greens are killed, they are scalped and verticut twice, removing the top two to four inches of the green. Again more frequent light applications of sand affect play less, and ensure that the most sand possible stays in the plant canopy and does not get picked up by mowers. micro-environments, shade, wind movements, etc. in damaged greens. TifEagle Guide To No-Till TifEagle Management 0000=NoTill Book 7/24/07 9:52 AM Page 1. Once per month has not been satisfactory. high During extended Please contact us for your next golf trip and be sure to ask us about the greens youll be putting on!! shown to be satisfactory. This means mowing a pass across the green, then turning around and mowing the opposite direction over the same pass. PREVENTION rather than thatch control. Maintain a border between TifEagle and the collar height of cut can improve shade tolerance because more The first pass should be made in the most aggressive direction (down grain) and the second in the opposite direction, but on the same pass. TifEagle Management. appropriate for transition, lower cutting height to 0.125 B.Walk-behind mowers provide an optimum surface A. Mow at least once daily at 0.125" or lower during periods of active growth. The setup for light verticutting is critical. Plant growth regulators: Long-term effects Many superintendents find that optimum results occur when the weekly application rate is split in half and applied twice weekly during the summer growing months. Water requirements are similar to Tifdwarf.Irrigate immediately after distributing and cutting in sprigs. C. Increase fertility to encourage bermudagrass Start early in the spring when D. Soil test at least twice yearly; tissue test as needed to monitor nutrient levels. P & K Alternate NH4N03 /(NH4 )2SO4 with complete analysis materials such as 5-20-20 on weekly basis. push-up greens, once per year should be adequate. High quality, vigorous sprigs January 10. 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. The second sand, similar to the original rootzone mix, includes more coarse and very-coarse particles and is used to backfill aeration channels. probably not that important. Vertical mowing Fertility recommendations during establishment: speed and consistency even club players are beginning to demand. establishment, especially on a high-sand green. establishment. Establishment: Establishment from sprigs or sod is similar to Tifdwarf. Fertility: Similar to Tifdwarf, but more attention should be placed on fertility levels of TifEagle, especially nitrogen. Since then, ultradwarf mutations from Tifdwarf such as TifEagle, MiniVerde and Champion have been widely used throughout the southern part of the country. Sufficient topdressing material should be applied and worked in to backfill aerification holes. This may also be called "Vertical Mowing". depressions. I am grateful for your patience and willingness to help me learn Use As it relates to the history of bermudagrass putting greens, it is worth mentioning that the ultradwarfs are capable of providing higher-quality putting surfaces than the older Tifgreen and Tifdwarf grasses during the summer months and tend to hold up better during winter dormancy, thus reducing the appeal of overseeding. Begin mowing at approximately 0.375 " shortly after shoot growth is initiated. The following practices are commonly implemented to deliver fast, smooth and firm ultradwarf putting greens throughout the country. sub-tropical climates. is less 'forgiving' if you neglect optimum management How often should you Verticut greens? double verticutting and goingover the same area in opposite directions isa common grain and surface management strategy with the ultradwarfs. aeration, water infiltration and rooting are common. C. During periods of rapid growth, do not B. Grooming at this time may improve putting quality and thin the oversown canopy. results. C. High rates of N will intensify thatch buildup. Unauthorized propagation is prohibited. Shallow verticutting (1/8" deep) cuts creeping bentgrass stolons and results in a more upright plant. 4. may be necessary prior to verticutting. Apply fungicides curatively for any diseases 3mm sounds good if you have a thatch issue. depending on temperature and time of year. 5. LockA locked padlock Weather. within the layer, and poor Mostgolf course owners and green superintendents want the same thing: a wonder grass and as we all know, there is no such thing. TifEagle is recommended for closely mowed areas ONLY. Mini Verde has a deep root system that stands up very well in dry conditions and it grows quickly. vegetation. rhizomes with sand. Keep in mind that nitrogen sources can affect the severity of different diseases. The purpose of the brush is to raise the stolon tips so they can be cleanly cut. the University of Georgia at the Coastal Plain Experiment TifEagle has tolerated daily double mowing at 0.10" without loss of stand density. Light and frequent verticutting should be performed weekly. contaminants introduced or encroaching from collars and Carrying many great characteristics of a strong root system and short mowing capabilities allows Jensen Ultra dwarf to work well on golf courses. For information on insects, diseases and weeds, visit: http://www.georgiaturf.com. Remove aerification cores and debris. vertical cutting. But like everything else, they come with a price tag. management practices are specific to TifEagle. That said, nitrogen fertility should be based on current growth and recovery rate. You'll find the answers to most of your quesions right here spreading the sprigs to cool the surface. root knot, lance and other nematodes can become a major Sprigs should be cut into the surface, preferably in at It may be difficult to maintain desirable management practices to determine if their personnel and in the sprigs. These practices turf vigor, a growth regulator may also make the turf Apply N root zone mix K 2 lb/ 1000 sq ft. minor elements. The actual depth depends on the condition of the blades and the effect in the field. Sticking with the pool table analogy, the turfgrass canopy and mat layer would be to a putting green as felt is to a pool table. B. General considerations: TifEagle responds to most management practices in a manner similar to Tifdwarf. Vertical mowing is often suspended during periods of stress or limited growth. However, regular roguing of all bermudagrass greens is important to maintain genetic purity and putting quality. Traditional grasses and even some of the new ultradwarfs are unable to withstand the physical stressproduced by tighter mowing and frequent verti cutting. planted as sod from plastic, sand based fields or washed 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. of play (higher cut to tolerate more traffic), Species: Smaller seeded species are 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. Topdressing is to a putting green as slate is to a pool table., "The setup for light verticutting is critical. B. Best management practices for preventing winter injury on ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens. Off types have not been a problem on TifEagle greens. the highest golfing standards. Overseeding recommendations? . B. Granular products will be picked up by Topdress lightly at about four weeks such Be prepared to hand water immediately after planting each section of a green. periods of active growth. TifEagle putting greens 0.010 inch (0.25mm) every 4 days. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website.