Why we have frost delays...

As a golfer, there are few things worse than a frost delay, maybe going CPO (Cartpath Only).  But as a Superintendent I promise there is a reason...

Frost is essentially frozen dew that crystallizes on the grass.  If you didn't already know, grass is comprised of 90% water much like the human body.  When explaining to people why we have frost delays I typically relate it the human body.

Since the grass is comprised of so much water it also freezes along with the dew on the surface.  This makes the individual blades of grass very brittle (especially the low mow'n areas like the greens).  Walking or driving on the turf while it is frozen causes the cell walls inside the plant rupture making it impossible for the plant to function properly much like breaking your arm or even your back.  But unlike the human body the turf cannot repair itself, you will have to wait till better growing conditions and new grass germinates.  Which it happens early on in the cooler months you will be looking at damaged and affected playing surfaces for months

And why we are so careful...

The average golfer takes 60 steps on each green.  Multiple that by 18 and then lets say its a decent winter day and we have 65 rounds.  That comes out to 70,200 steps just on the greens.  That is a lot of pressure to put on turf that is cut down as low as an eighth of an inch and is made up of 90% water.

And it is very difficult to judge when it will lift.  Have to consider shaded areas, low areas, and even sometimes it appears to be fine but the frost likes to linger at the base of the plant.   We do our best to judge when it maybe good to go but it is something to err on the side of caution...

We do it for the golfer, we promise...