Frost!

With cooler nighttime temperatures becoming more prevalent, there is greater potential for frosty mornings.  The course experienced its first light frost of the season yesterday, and looking at the forecast, we will likely have significant frost over this weekend as well.  When frost is present we must refrain from allowing traffic (both maintenance and golf) on the turf, or else risk plant injury.  While frost delays are an inconvenience, they are detrimental to the health and playability your golf course.  Please take a moment to read this informative article regarding frost delays, courtesy of the GCSAA:

Understanding frost delays

Presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

In many regions of the country, golfers occasionally face frost delays in the spring and fall, thus pushing back starting tee times. When frost is present, golf course superintendents delay play until the frost has melted. This is done to prevent damage that affects the quality of the playing surface and could potentially be very expensive to repair.

Frost is basically frozen dew that has crystallized on the grass, making it hard and brittle. A grass blade is actually 90 percent water, therefore it also freezes. Because of the short mowing height (sometimes as low as 1/8 inch) and fragile nature of the turf, putting greens are most affected by frost. Walking on frost-covered greens causes the plant to break and cell walls to rupture, thereby losing its ability to function normally. When the membrane is broken, much like an egg, it cannot be put back together.

Golfers who ignore frost delays will not see immediate damage. The proof generally comes 48-72 hours later, as the plant leaves turn brown and die. The result is a thinning of the putting surface and a weakening of the plant. The greens in turn become more susceptible to disease and weeds. While it may not appear to be much of an issue if a foursome begins play early on frost covered greens, consider that the number of footprints that may occur on any given hole by one person is approximately 60. Multiply that by 18 holes with an average of 200 rounds per day and the result is 216,000 footprints on greens in a day or 6,480,000 in a month.

As golf enthusiasts, superintendents do not like to delay play, but they are more concerned about turf damage and the quality of conditions for the golfer. Frost also creates a hardship on a golf facility's staff, as all course preparations are put to a halt until thawing occurs. Golf carts can cause considerable damage, therefore personnel cannot maneuver around the course to mow, change cup positions, collect range balls, etc.

One technique employed to reduce possible frost damage is to raise the cutting height of mowers to create a hardier surface. It may also be possible to reroute play to holes where the frost melts more quickly. But regardless of these methods, the best medicine is for all to understand the hows and whys of the delay, and in turn gain a greater appreciation for the golf course. It would also be wise to give the course a phone call before heading out to play to see if tee times have been pushed back due to frost.

For more information regarding golf course maintenance and etiquette, contact your local superintendent, or the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America at 800-472-7878 or www.gcsaa.org.

This photo of hole-9 was taken in early November of last year.  Notice that while the frost has melted on the elevated and sunny slopes, it is still very heavy in the low and shady areas.  Frost must be clear from all playing surfaces before it is safe to tee off.

This photo, taken in March, shows damage to a tee surface caused by someone walking across the turf on a frosty morning. 

Prepared by, Curtis Keller