Golfing 101: Different Types of Course Grasses

Anyone that considers themselves a golfer knows that this is a sport all about strategy and technique. You can improve your handicap by having a strong under-standing of each club, perfecting your swing and knowing the courses inside out. This also involves knowing the type of grass that you find on the course and how this will impact your performance.

The Effect of Turf on Performance

So, how can turf affect performance when playing golf? The grass that you are playing a shot onto will have a big impact on the bounce and roll of the ball as well as your next shot. Therefore, knowing what type of grass you are playing on can help you to plan the smartest possible shot, shape your swing and choose the right club.

Bent Grass

Bent grass is the most common type of grass found on golf courses and is the first choice for greens if it can be grown. Bent grass has thin blades that are very dense, which gives it a felt-like surface that makes it ideal for putting. This type of grass is fine in colder conditions but struggles in the heat, which is why a different type of grass is used in places with warmer climates.

Bermuda Grass

Following on from this, Bermuda grass has similar properties to bent grass but thrives in the heat. Therefore, this is the preferred choice to bent grass in warmer climates. It can be hard to tell the difference but Bermuda tends to have a more severe grain, which means that you need to pay attention to the direction that the grass is growing when playing on this type of grass.

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass is known for its durability, which makes it a good choice for fair-ways, roughs and tee boxes (high foot traffic areas). This type of grass is also heat resistant, so it is common in areas with warmer climates. You would be best suited to using Ping fairway woods on this type of surface.

Rye Grass

Rye grass is also common in high-foot traffic areas due to its strength and dura-bility. Rye grass is also common in the autumn months as a good alternative to Bermuda, which goes dormant in these months. It is fine-textured and grows straight up, which makes it an aesthetically pleasing option.

These are the main types of grass that every avid golfer should be aware of. Golf is a game where knowledge is power, so knowing what types of grass you are playing on could make a big difference to your game and even help you to im-prove your handicap. The grass can impact many key aspects of performance, so you should always try to learn about the grass used on each course beforehand.