Arizona golf courses face a unique challenge: keeping greens lush in extreme heat and cool winters. The choice between Bermudagrass and Ryegrass is crucial for course upkeep and playability.
| Factor | Bermudagrass | Ryegrass |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Tolerance | High | Low |
| Cold Tolerance | Low | High |
| Water Usage | Lower | Higher |
| Maintenance | Less frequent | More frequent |
| Playing Surface | Fast, tight lies | Slower, fluffier lies |
| Cost | Lower long-term | Higher due to overseeding |
Many courses overseed Bermuda with Rye for year-round green, but this impacts water use, costs, and playability. Some are exploring alternatives like drought-resistant grasses or skipping overseeding to save water and money.
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Arizona's Weather and Golf Courses
Arizona's climate swings from scorching summers to cool winters, challenging course managers to adapt their grass strategies year-round.
Summer temperatures often hit 110°F, stressing turf. Winter brings cooler temps and occasional frost delays. These patterns directly influence grass choices and maintenance schedules.
Todd Bohn from Desert Mountain Golf Club explains:
"All seven of our courses are open and green from November 1 to June 1, which is when the most members are here and the weather is best."
Courses built after 1985 must follow strict water use rules:
| Regulation | Limit |
|---|---|
| Water per hole | 23 acre-feet |
| Average turf area | 83 acres |
As Arizona faces ongoing drought and rising temperatures, courses must balance playability with water conservation.
Bermudagrass for Hot Summers
Bermudagrass thrives in Arizona's scorching summers. Its heat tolerance and quick recovery make it ideal for the challenging climate.
Key features:
- Thrives in full sun and high temps
- Drought-resistant with deep roots
- Fast growth and self-repairing
- Tolerant to heavy foot traffic
Summer care for Bermudagrass:
- Water about 1 inch per week
- Mow to 1-1.5 inches height
- Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer regularly
Jill Riedel from Westbrook Village Golf Club emphasizes proper summer care:
"The program we follow to begin waking the dormant bermudagrass in February and strengthen it through September has a huge impact on our October overseed and the winter grass performing through our prime season (November – April)."
Ryegrass for Cool Winters
Ryegrass keeps Arizona courses green and playable when Bermudagrass goes dormant in winter.
Types of Ryegrass:
| Type | Characteristics | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Ryegrass | Less expensive, germinates well | Budget-friendly option |
| Perennial Ryegrass | Finer leaf structure, darker green | Premium appearance |
Planting and care:
- Plant in early October when nights drop below 65°F
- Apply 1-1.5 pounds of seed per 100 square feet
- Keep seed moist until germination
- Fertilize after seeding
- Maintain at 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Challenges include competition with Bermuda for nutrients and dying off as temperatures rise in late spring.
Changing Grass with Seasons
Arizona golf courses swap between Bermudagrass and Ryegrass seasonally. Here's how:
Summer to Winter:
- Overseed in early fall
- Mow Bermuda low, clean up clippings
- Spread Ryegrass seed
- Keep soil damp for 5-7 days
- Courses close for 12-21 days
Winter to Summer:
- Begin when nights exceed 65°F
- Reduce watering to stress Ryegrass
- Increase mowing frequency
- Dethatch and aerate
- Fertilize as Bermuda emerges
Some courses use herbicides to speed Ryegrass die-off, while others let nature take its course.
Curtis Tyrell from Desert Highlands Golf Club notes:
"If I have to convert the crop twice a year, I don't get a lot of real sustainable, long-term system-building. I'm just constantly changing."
Some courses are exploring alternatives to this bi-annual swap, aiming for quality play year-round while navigating Arizona's extreme climate.
Water Use for Each Grass Type
Water management is crucial for Arizona golf courses. Bermudagrass needs less water than Ryegrass, especially in winter when dormant.
Ryegrass watering schedule:
| Month | Watering Frequency |
|---|---|
| October | Every 3 days |
| November | Every 10 days |
| December-January | Every 14 days |
| February | Every 10 days |
| March | Every 7 days |
Courses use techniques like early morning watering, deep infrequent watering, and reclaimed water to save water. Overseeding increases water use during germination.
Todd Bohn notes: "All turf at Desert Mountain is irrigated with reclaimed water."
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Mowing Practices and Grass Health
Proper mowing is key for healthy turf and playability.
Bermudagrass mowing:
- Spring: 1.5-2 inches
- Summer: 1-1.5 inches
- Fall: 1.5-2 inches
- Winter: 1-1.5 inches
Ryegrass mowing:
- Typical height: 1.5-2.5 inches
Mow Bermuda every 3-4 days in summer, Ryegrass weekly. Change mowing patterns to prevent wear. Use reel mowers for heights under 1 inch.
Todd Bohn explains:
"We start mowing greens at 6 AM every day. Using hand mowers gives us the best cut and lets us create those crisp patterns golfers love."
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Both grasses face unique challenges:
| Issue | Bermudagrass | Ryegrass |
|---|---|---|
| Grubs | Vulnerable | Resistant |
| Rapid Blight | Resistant | Vulnerable |
| Brown Patch | Resistant | Vulnerable |
For Ryegrass, manage rapid blight by improving drainage and using salt-tolerant varieties. For Bermuda, monitor for grubs and apply targeted treatments when necessary.
Todd Bohn emphasizes: "Early detection of turf diseases is vital. We scout our courses daily, looking for any signs of trouble."
Costs of Different Grasses
Grass choice significantly impacts course budgets:
Initial costs per square foot:
- Bermuda: $0.30 - $0.85
- Ryegrass: $0.40 - $0.85
Overseeding costs have risen sharply. One course's budget jumped from $65,000 to $140,000 in one year.
Water costs average $238,000 yearly in the Southwest, more than double the national average.
To save money, courses are reducing mown areas, evaluating fertilizers, and using smart watering systems.
How Grass Types Affect Play
Grass choice changes how the game is played:
| Aspect | Bermuda | Rye |
|---|---|---|
| Green Speed | Faster | Slower, more consistent |
| Fairway Lies | Tighter | Fluffier |
| Rough | Dense, "sticky" | More forgiving |
Bermuda's grain affects putts more than Rye. Its tight lies challenge high-handicap golfers but offer more control for low-handicappers.
Environmental Effects of Grass Choices
Grass choice impacts water use and local ecosystems:
| Grass Type | Water Usage | Environmental Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Bermudagrass | Lower | Better for conservation |
| Ryegrass | Higher | More stress on water supplies |
Some courses are switching to native plants to support local wildlife and save water. Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale saved 40-50 million gallons yearly by converting 65% of turf to natural landscape.
New Ideas for Arizona Golf Course Grass
Courses are testing new grasses and methods:
- Drought-resistant grasses like Buffalograss
- Mixed breeds like TifTuf Bermudagrass
- Skipping overseeding to save water and money
- Painting dormant grass green instead of overseeding
Joe Foley from the Arizona Golf Association notes:
"Courses are doing a really good job of researching different grass types that are drought resistant and exploring conversations with members and resort guests around what is the value of playing ryegrass versus bermudagrass."
The future of Arizona golf may include smaller courses, less water use, and more native plants, while still offering great golf experiences.
