Frost Delays... Who to blame?

    In our region of the country, golfers occasionally face frost delays in the fall and winter, thus pushing back starting tee times. When frost is present golf course superintendents delay play until the frost has melted. This is done to prevent damage that affects the quality of the playing surface and could potentially be very expensive to repair.

Frost is frozen dew that has crystallized on the grass, making it hard and brittle. A grass plant is actually 90 percent water, therefore it also freezes. Because of the short mowing height (as low as 1/10 inch) and fragile nature of the turf, putting greens are most affected by frost. Walking on frost-covered greens causes the plant to break and cell walls to rupture, thereby losing its ability to function normally. When the membrane is broken, much like an egg, it cannot be put back together. Golfers who ignore frost delays will not see immediate damage. The proof generally comes 48-72 hours later as the plant leaves turn brown and die. The result is a thinning of the putting surface and a weakening of the plant.

The maintenance staff is out monitoring for frost, our goal is to have you out as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your patience!