Kevin Downing

Almost every year the Florida golf scene is presented with the same scenario, increased golf cart activity and cooler temperatures. How do these two elements create problems for the golfers?

Overseeding

Bermuda grass is the basic turf for most golf courses in Florida and this grass doesn’t grow aggressively when the night time temperatures dip below 60 degrees. Those golf carts tires smash, twist and generally impede the physical resiliency of that tiny grass blade, especially when it’s not growing anyway. When this phenomenon takes place the ball lies got a little tighter and the visual definition between the fairway and rough is diminished. Courses in Central and North Florida can take steps to reduce this impact by applying winter grass seed in the form of overseeding. This procedure is not as popular in South Florida, so the visual impact is a little greater.

In the eyes of the average golfer, the grass will appear dry, crusty or somewhat brown after a frost. Don’t be alarmed because the Bermuda grass will perk up when the temperatures increase or a little fertilizer is applied. The golf staff or committee can evaluate this situation and possibly enact the local rule of preferred lies or winter rules. A complete discussion of this ruling is included in the Rules of Golf Appendix I – Part A - Local Rules.

Play Ready Golf

Another phenomenon during the winter is that “nasty curse” of slow play. Do your part by playing ready golf and take one more club for approach shots. You will play a heck of a lot faster if you don’t spend all your time recovering from those bunkers just in front of the green.