TechNotes are provided by Syngenta GreenCast.
Allowing winter play is always a tough decision for golf course superintendents. Balancing agronomic concerns with golfers (and revenue) is a tough decision. Below is a ranking from least injurious to most.
1) Play on dry unfrozen soil - Although wear injury is always a potential problem this is situation will result in the least damage.
2) Play on frozen soil - Most likely will result in wear injury to the turf but little soil compaction.
3) Play on wet, unfrozen soil - The potential damage under his scenario is significant soil compaction can occur but less wear injury.
4)Play on a thawing soil (unfrozen (wet) on the surface, frozen below) - This situation can result in both wear injury and soil compaction and play should be avoided.
