This past Thursday saw temperatures in the low 30's, and as a result we saw our first frost of the season. The frost resulted in play being delayed until 10 a.m. When frost is present, the turfgrass is actually very fragile. Turfgrass leaves are 90 percent water, and therefore they freeze during low temperatures. Any traffic, whether it be machine or footprints, can result in turfgrass plants breaking and cause cell walls to rupture. Widespread damage could be very costly to both the playability and aesthetics of the golf course. When frost is present, it is always the best to delay all maintenance and golfing activities until the frost has had time to melt.
Bermudagrass is very sensitive to frost, and will enter a dormancy period following continuous days of low temperatures. This can be seen on the golf courses right now with the rough areas turning a tan color. Dormancy is a process Bermudagrass goes through in order to survive low temperatures. When temperatures return to normal, Bermudagrass will continue normal growth, and the tan color will disappear.
Frost normally isn't a phenomenon we have to deal with more than a few times per season, but it is important to understand the effect it can have on the turfgrass at our club. If there are any other questions regarding frost, do not hesitate to contact the Golf Course Operations facility (254-3096)
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