where to get zoysia grass for golf course

by Dr. Lottie Stanton Sr. 4 min read

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Trinity Zoysia is the latest innovation in zoysiagrass for golf courses. This extremely fine-textured grass may be suitable for use on golf greens, as well as the rest of the golf course playing surface. Trinity Zoysia is named after the Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, Texas, the new home of the AT&T Byron Nelson PGA tournament. This club is the first to grass their course with …

What is Zoysia grass?

Zoysia grass is a warm season grass grown throughout the central and southern climates across the world. Zoysia grass seed varieties are part of the Japonica grass family which are known for less plant density, interseeding ability and cold tolerance.

What is the best grass seed for a lawn?

Zoysia is commonly interseeded with fescue lawns for a year round green lawn. Zoysia grass seed varieties are an excellent choice for a home lawn grass. Zo ysia grass varieties have a lush dark green color, fine leaf texture and a soft on your feet feel.

Is Zoysia grass good for a lawn?

Zoysia grass also makes for a durable lawn as it is resistant to weeds, insects, and diseases that would be bad news for other types of grass. Zoysia is an extremely aggressive spreading grass that can literally choke out weeds. Zoysia is pleasant on the eyes and feet. It tends to have a soft, fine texture and is naturally low-growing.

Why is Zoysia grass so hard to grow?

Here in the Midwest, zoysia seed has a difficult time establishing because of our cool soil temperatures. Thus, most people who choose zoysia grass must plant it in plugs or sod during the summer months. This can get pricey.

How long does it take for Zoysia grass to grow?

This can get pricey. And lastly, zoysia grass sometimes takes two to three years to fill out and reach the desired density.

Is Zoysia invasive?

The Ugly: The aggressive nature of zoysia can also be labeled invasive. Be prepared to deal with picky neighbors, should your zoysia lawn spread into their property. Zoysia grass is also prone to thatch problems, therefore routine annual de-thatching and aerification are required.

Zoysiagrass Selection and Establishment

There are numerous zoysiagrass cultivars to consider. ‘Innovation’, ‘Meyer’ and ‘Zenith’ have excellent cold tolerance and are well adapted for the northern portion of the transition zone. In warmer regions, fine-bladed zoysiagrasses such as ‘Zeon’, ‘Zorro’ and ‘Trinity’ have yielded excellent playing surfaces.

Cultural Management

One of the greatest strengths of zoysiagrass is its ability to produce a dense, thick mat of thatch intermixed with soil. This mat layer provides the support and resiliency to withstand traffic from thousands of rounds of golf.

Mowing

Anyone who has spent time mowing zoysiagrass realizes it is arguably the most difficult turf to mow in a straight line. The stiff, bristle-like leaves can cause the mower to shift and float across the surface. The reason for this phenomenon is the high lignin content in the leaves.

Disease Management

Zoysiagrass is very disease tolerant relative to other commonly planted fairway turf types. The only habitual disease concern is large patch, incited by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. With proper fertility, moisture management and preventative fungicide treatment, this disease can be controlled very effectively.

Water Management

As with any turfgrass, water management plays a crucial role in balancing turf heath and playability. When compared to cool-season turfgrass cultivars, zoysiagrass requires significantly less water. Lush, green turf should not be the goal of a zoysiagrass water management program.

Fertilization

Annual rates of 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen are generally sufficient on fairways (Patton et al., 2010). Golf courses in the transition zone, where zoysiagrass growth occurs from the end of May through September, will be at the low end of this range. As you move farther south, the amount of nitrogen required will gradually increase.

Plant Growth Regulators

Many superintendents do not regularly apply a plant growth regulator to zoysiagrass like they would with other turf types. Their use is generally not necessary to maintain a tight playing surface if good fertility and mowing practices are followed. However, there are certainly instances where their use is warranted to prevent flushes of growth.

Can you grow grass on a golf course?

Golf course grasses can also be grown as lawn grasses for people looking to enjoy the feel of a golf course in their homes. These grasses are usually tough and resilient due to their traffic and can be cut low as that is the best level for a golf course.

What is the best grass for golf?

5. Zoysia Grass for Golf Course. Zoysia is a native Asian grass but has been in the US for more than a century and has become a popular golf course grass in that time. It is a warm-season grass best suited to warmer climes. This is a creeping heat and drought tolerant grass that will save you a lot on irrigation.

What is golf course grass?

Golf course grass is commonly known as turf grass, and the grass types used differ from region to region by their ability to withstand both cold and heat. Turf grass differs from the regular lawn grass you may find in homes. Although some grasses used in home lawns can be used in golf courses.

Can you use artificial turf on a golf course?

Like in your lawns, where you can decide to have synthetic lawns instead of growing one naturally, there is an option for you to use artificial turf for golf course grass.

What type of grass is used in golf courses?

1. Bermuda Grass for Golf Course. It is befitting to mention this turf grass type first as it one of the most popular grasses used in golf courses. Bermuda is a warm-season grass and, as such, is used majorly in warm areas that typically reach temperatures unconducive for several kinds of grass.

Is Bermuda grass good for golf?

Not only is Bermuda suitable for warm regions, but it can also be mowed quite low, which is necessary for golfers to enjoy the experience truly. Bermuda is also drought-resistant and repairs quickly.

Do you need to mow artificial grass?

Very little maintenance is needed: with natural grass, you’ll need to constantly mow, apply fertilizer, water, and generally tend to the grass for you to keep enjoying it. With artificial grass, most of all, these “stressful” activities are not needed.

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