Grass is Dead again

[platgof]

The grass has pretty much dropped around here. A weeklong dry spell did it in, now the ground is brick hard. Some rain is finally coming in, but temps will be 29* for the low, so the grass is finished for this season. My body and the grass have coincided together over this, both shot. Now I see why Florida is so desirable as you can always finish your impact through sand. Try that here with the brick hard ground and it hurts, badly! My golf buds are heading down to Sebring to start their winter golf.

[nitram]

I see what you mean by brick hard ground in the fairways but in all honesty, dormant Bermuda greens are my favorite.

[elwhippy]

I will swap you. North of England courses are now soft, getting muddy, and covered in dead leaves. 

[st1800e]

Typically grass goes dormant.  If all the grass is dead, that’s a big problem.   

[unpluggedk]

is that better or worse than wet / cold grass?

[platgof]

Worse as you have to pick every shot or get some serious feedback. It has been really warm for over a month, and I can say goodbye to that. The rain did make it in and now it doesn't really matter much as the cold weather has arrived.

[smashdn]

Loving our bluemuda fairways.  Bluegrass and fescue rough is getting stupid lush though.  In the summer when it is thin you worry more with fliers.  Now it is a half to whole club extra.

[getitdaily]

Supposed to be a high of 71 here in Orlando on Wednesday. May have to break out the jacket. Hope the greens don't get frost.

[snuzzo29]

Courses around here are covered in snow.

[st1800e]

35 minutes ago, snuzzo29 said:

Courses around here are covered in snow.

Yes, snow covered here too, and dormant.  

[wozn]

Winter golf around here typically involves artificial turf and a screen - outside winter golf is a luxury I'm not sure I'll ever have

[ShortGolfer]

My natural swing is steep and I can take deep divots anytime I like.  I've learned to sweep the ball and take swings that brush the grass without taking divots most of the time.

 

Now that I'm retired I'll investigate playing golf during the winter on courses near the Long Island Sound.  We  get frequent warm spells in the middle of winter.  Bare spots in my yard will fill in over winter!

 

Just ordered a "like new" Z grind wedge that is said to be better for sweeping the ball on firm conditions than my other Callway wedges.

Edited October 31, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[platgof]

The golf course told us that this year mats can be used on the fairways to compensate for the the grass. So now I am trying to figure out the best carpet pad to use. I have never done this before so need some ideas from those who use a pad.

[dan360]

Rain is here in the PNWet.... time for Gore-Tex, 200 yard drives that plug, and lots of rain grip gloves. 

[caniac6]

We had morning lows in the 20s three days last week This week it will be close to 80 for the highs. Freezing to wearing shorts. Weather in NC .

[jordan2240]

Would be nice to know where "around here" is for some of these responses.  Where I am in the Harrisburg PA region, courses are in great shape.  Gonna be in the 60s and 70s this week, but might rain on one of my golf days (I only do twice a week). My boys live in Orlando, but I rarely golf there because you can't walk, it's too expensive, and I appreciate the time off in the winter.

[smashdn]

16 hours ago, jordan2240 said:

Would be nice to know where "around here" is for some of these responses.  Where I am in the Harrisburg PA region, courses are in great shape.  Gonna be in the 60s and 70s this week, but might rain on one of my golf days (I only do twice a week). My boys live in Orlando, but I rarely golf there because you can't walk, it's too expensive, and I appreciate the time off in the winter.

 

Golf Weather

 

 

Golf Problem

 

 

Edited November 6, 2023 by smashdn

[larrybud]

On 10/28/2023 at 8:58 AM, platgof said:

The grass has pretty much dropped around here. A weeklong dry spell did it in, now the ground is brick hard. Some rain is finally coming in, but temps will be 29* for the low, so the grass is finished for this season. My body and the grass have coincided together over this, both shot. Now I see why Florida is so desirable as you can always finish your impact through sand. Try that here with the brick hard ground and it hurts, badly! My golf buds are heading down to Sebring to start their winter golf.

 

I would DIE for hard fairways! Sounds lovely!

[leftyb]

On 10/28/2023 at 8:58 AM, platgof said:

The grass has pretty much dropped around here. A weeklong dry spell did it in, now the ground is brick hard. Some rain is finally coming in, but temps will be 29* for the low, so the grass is finished for this season. My body and the grass have coincided together over this, both shot. Now I see why Florida is so desirable as you can always finish your impact through sand. Try that here with the brick hard ground and it hurts, badly! My golf buds are heading down to Sebring to start their winter golf.

 

I'm not too far from you - east TN. But I played in Murfreesboro (Indian Hills I think it's called) last week as I had some business meetings in Nashville. It was a mix of green/brown but not too bad. And then I got back to east TN and hit the course yesterday and it's brown brown brown here now.  And the lies are tight and chipping has me a bit puckered. 

[glm]

I'm in knoxville

no rain in 2 months 

we might as well be hitting off the cart paths

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

meh, the rye is coming in beautifully this season. a lot of courses already have the golf cars "off" paths. come on out here and spend your time/money with us.

[leftyb]

Grass has gone dormant here in east TN. Lies are mostly tight. Ground is either rock hard or soaking wet depending on the weather.

 

Chipping/short wedge approaches are brutal right now. Makes me want to get into the fetal position. 

[platgof]

Tried the grass mat and itis awesome! I now have a way to enjoy golf when the grass has gone dormant again. Picked it up at Academy Sports and the first round was very impressive. I usually don't hit a 5 wood, but cranked it off the mat. I also align the mat to target, yeah, I know, but so much fun.

[Ferguson]

Dead or dormant turf.

 

 

The classic golfer's lament. 

 

[cbrwn425]

We had a heat wave with no rain for a couple months and now everything is dormant, been playing off brick for a while now. Looking forward to some rain to soften things up. 

[phizzy30]

On 11/13/2023 at 12:45 PM, Ferguson said:

Dead or dormant turf.

 

 

The classic golfer's lament. 

 

First world problems. 

[nichho]

On 11/12/2023 at 8:13 PM, platgof said:

Tried the grass mat and itis awesome! I now have a way to enjoy golf when the grass has gone dormant again. Picked it up at Academy Sports and the first round was very impressive. I usually don't hit a 5 wood, but cranked it off the mat. I also align the mat to target, yeah, I know, but so much fun.

I doubt that they are available in the US, but this is undoubtably the best on the market and just what you need.

 

https://spurkgolf.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAiA04arBhAkEiwAuNOsIsemhZk0e0cddJTd4OnekYrtbUKe4n4EW1BpbLvckFaJLJPi2gI2AhoCWNQQAvD_BwE

[TNwanabe]

Ours (Nashville) have gone largely dormant and are smooth. It is certainly not as forgiving as when the grass is lush. The flip side is the rollout on drives is awesome. Chipping around the greens can be difficult as the dormant grass is very grabby. It lays very flat and it gets very tight and difficult to pick. Putting from way off the green is definitely on the table and far less stressful than chipping. It only gets more difficult when it gets wet. Unless there is weather we can play and I am good with that. I feel for those up North not being able to play for the next few months. More power to you folks, I couldn't do it. 

[platgof]

Played nine today with the mat and really like it. That matt does not move when striking the ball. It also has a tee holder for drives. The handle is very handy, but wish it was 4 inches shorter to fit better in the cart.

 

[Mcfly]

Dormant Bermuda grass everywhere at our course.   Time to check the ego for the next few months and start putting from +/- ten feet off the green.  “Touch” chips shots off dormant Bermuda isn’t good on the nerves.