Joe,
Care to take the time to expand on that thought a bit?
Thanks
Certainly.
I tend to believe, from experience, that firm and fast is a result of agronomic practices that create turfgrass plants that have a strong, tough structure. Of course, it is also soil and moisture dependent, but I think too often that moisture is the most focused upon of these three factors.
My opinion is that the tournament courses we most often see are courses that are maintained typically green and lush. Then, in an effort to make the course play a certain way, the governing body (USGA, PGA Tour) direct the course superintendent to dry out the facility for a relatively short time preceding the event. While that certainly firms it up from a soil perspective, the plants that are there are not what I consider strong, tough structured plants.
I think the effort to make the game tougher for the pros is too focused on grass height (too deep in roughs, too short on greens) and not enough focused on long term agronomic practices that will provide truly firm surfaces, thus creating the necessary challenge for the highest levels of competition.
So, I guess my ideal prescription for firm and fast would be something like this(in no particular order):
Sandy, well drained soils
Agronomic practices that use water minimally
Mowing heights that produce tough, healthy plants from top to
bottom
Fertility programs that are minimal, resulting in a "woodier" structured plant...less lush, if you will
Of course, this is only my opinion, and it may very well be me who is all wet.
Joe