Covering the Greens



Uncovering #11 Green

 Covering the greens is a much needed practice when managing Ultradwarf Bermuda greens. Protection from the harsh winter weather and temperatures is essential to the long term health of the greens. We take every precaution to make certain that the greens are protected should bad weather arise. The process of covering the greens is not long. It takes about 2-3 hours to cover the greens and about 1-2 hours to uncover. The temperature at which we look at covering is 25 degrees. If the nighttime temperature is going to be below 25 degrees and the following days highs are in the 30's, then we will be covering the greens. We try and minimize the exposure to temperature at or below freezing and the tarps main function is to warm the soil causing the ground under the greens to remain unfrozen. This allows the greens to handle the colder temperatures and will sustain turf health throughout the winter. The spring green-up is earlier for the greens because of the use of covers. We start seeing them green up in mid to late February while the rest of the course is nearly a month behind. The covers are a valuable tool and although they cause some disruption to the golfers through course closures or being movable objects around the greens, they are our insurance policy.


Storing Cover to the side of green out of play.



Wooden pegs used for holding tarps in place