Let's Talk About Frost: How foot and cart traffic can damage the turf
From the superintendents at Dormie Network
It’s the time of year to talk about frost, delays, and staying off the turfgrass as much as possible on a frosty morning.
Frost is a unique process that occurs on clear cold nights when turfgrass plants reradiate heat. As plants lose heat to the atmosphere, the plant’s blade cools. If the plant temperature is cooler than the air temperature, moisture from the atmosphere will condense on the leaf. Should the leaf temperature drop below freezing, the water freezes and frost forms. This will occur even if the air temperatures are slightly above freezing, because most observed temperature are taken four feet or higher from ground level.
This time of the year, it is not uncommon to have frost form even if the air temperature is in the mid to high 30s.
Frost will normally form in the early mornings before sunrise but may continue to form briefly even at daybreak due to the low angles of light coming from the sun that may not directly hit the leaf. Frost can be difficult to predict because even a breeze or cloud cover can affect the atmosphere.
Frost itself does not cause damage to turf, but both foot and mechanical traffic crushes the leaf blade. Plants are over 90% water, and the damage is caused when frost’s ice crystals are broken and jabbed in the walls of the plant. Initially the bruises will appear purplish to black in color and will progress to a straw color.
Delays may occur when morning temperatures are 38 degrees or below. We apologize for the inconvenience, but delays do help protect the turf for the long term. Enjoy a coffee in the clubhouse while the frost burns off, or if you’re worried about a potential frost delay, call the golf shop to check on course conditions before leaving home.
You can learn more on the USGA website with these articles:
If you have questions about turf conditions at any Dormie Network club, contact a superintendent:
Dormie Club
Billy Lewis, Superintendent
blewis@dormieclub.com
Hidden Creek
Jay Ewan, Director of Agronomy
jay-ewan@hiddencreekclub.com
Victoria National
Kyle Callahan, Director of Agronomy
kyle-callahan@victorianational.com
ArborLinks
Michael Sheely, Superintendent
msheely@arborlinks.com
Ballyhack
Steven Ball, Superintendent
sball@ballyhackgolfclub.com
Briggs Ranch
Nick Graves, Director of Agronomy
ngraves@briggsgolf.com
