The “F” word

As we write this month’s column, cool-season golf course turf across the majority of the United States is either already or will soon be under a measurable amount of stress for the first time in 2025.

Every year brings its own set of unique challenges. This year, an unseasonably cool, wet spring fostered a slow start to the growing season. Poa annua did not achieve uniform, consistent growth until recently and bentgrass has been exhibiting minor traffic-related symptoms from basic agronomic practices due to its inability to overcome usually benign maintenance traffic through typical growth. The wet, saturated soil is about to boil with hot temperatures, prolonged humidity and well-above-average, nasty dew points.

What happens next? Besides the stress this weather pattern places on turf managers, it bestows even greater stress to the turf these managers oversee. Hot, wet soils facilitate a spike in nutrient solubilization leading to excessive, uncontrolled growth, puffy leaf blades and reduced traffic tolerance. These soils also afford extreme subsurface stress on roots by providing an anaerobic soil condition, which shrinks roots, exacerbates nutrient imbalances and can lead to black layer, wet wilt and other dangerous soil conditions.

Far too often, instead of relying on our training and basic maintenance principles, we fabricate a poor decision-making environment in our mind. What are we going to do? What extra sprays and additional practices MUST we make to tactically navigate the impending doom? We feel we have to do something different and new. We MUST outsmart the current conditions, the forecast, the turf and — to our own detriment — our simple, experience-based instincts.

From our new perspective helping support golf course maintenance staffs in a position slightly removed from the stress of daily maintenance execution, we have a much clearer vision through our own previous blind spots: Keep it simple. Keep it basic. Focus on the “F” word: FUNDAMENTALS.

Far too often, we lose sight of the fundamental maintenance tenants. Instead of spraying a new product or deploying new equipment, stay grounded in the fundamentals.

This may sound rudimentary, but avoiding self-inflicted mistakes is usually one of the best ways to weather the proverbial storm. We all know the drill: raise mowing heights, manage mechanical traffic, alleviate moisture stress, shift to a preventative IPM application posture, get out the soil probe, look at the turf several times throughout the day, etc. These examples are not only items to remember in times of stress depicted in the scenario described above, but also valuable reminders to lean into all the time.

Let’s break down fundamental concepts in two categories: daily, fundamental maintenance practices and fundamental agronomic infrastructure.

Fundamental maintenance practices: Focusing on general fundamental concepts does not mean losing our attention to detail. Rather, we want to communicate the importance of redirecting our attention to detail from misguided practices to a granular focus on the minutiae of the basic facets of agronomics. This means to drill down on the big three: mowing, watering and spraying. Instead of blindly accepting the performance of these aspects, execute them as if they are the most critical aspects of agronomic success — and not only the success of the turf, but your success as a superintendent. Please do not misconstrue this as a recommendation to avoid new technologies and trends. Consider it a reminder to only utilize the latest and greatest after consistently maintaining strong fundamental tenants. Only add to your agronomic programs once the foundation is rock solid. If not, it will become a house of cards susceptible to being toppled by even the slightest challenge.

Fundamental agronomic infrastructure: What do plants need to grow? Soil, sun, air and water. Fundamental soil performance — drainage, porosity, infiltration, fertility, chemistry, etc. Optimizing sun and air — reduce shade, maximize photosynthetic capacity, etc. Water quality — technical analysis, neutralizing contaminants, managing salts, etc. We often prioritize new ideas at the expense of not improving the fundamental attributes that allow us to develop a baseline for agronomic success.

When the heat is on, don’t reach for what you think may be the next best thing. Do the opposite. Double down and refocus on the fundamentals.

A relentless pursuit of achieving fundamental success is undefeated.