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Impact of Light‐Weight Rolling on Putting Green Performance
Author(s) -
Hartwiger Christopher E.,
Peacock Charles H.,
DiPaola Joseph M.,
Cassel D. Keith
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2001.4141179x
Subject(s) - loam , agrostis stolonifera , bulk density , agrostis , biology , agronomy , horticulture , zoology , soil water , poaceae , ecology
The introduction of light‐weight rollers has contributed to the reconsideration of the practice of rolling golf putting greens. Studies were conducted in 1993 and 1994 to determine the effects of rolling on soil bulk density, putting green speed, turf quality, root mass, and thatch mass. Experimental ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera L.) putting greens built on a United States Golf Association (USGA) specification root zone and on a Cecil gravelly sandy loam (Typic Hapludult clayey, kaolinitic, thermic) (native soil) root zone were mowed daily and subjected to four rates of rolling (0, 1, 4, or 7 times per week) with a light‐weight roller for a 10‐wk period. Soil bulk density did not change for any rolling frequency on the USGA green. Rolling rates of four and seven times per week increased bulk density on the native soil green by 4 and 3% in the first year while no changes were detected in the second year. Turf quality was diminished for rolling rates of four and seven times per week. Ball roll increased as the rate of rolling increased. Rolling rate did not alter root mass. Thatch levels were not affected by rolling frequency on the USGA green. On the native soil green, four and seven rolling treatments per week resulted in thatch levels 12 and 11% higher than the control. Rolling once per week appears to offer increased green speed without any deleterious turf effects.