Green speed question? If you were going to slow them down for an event...

[RSLivingston_III]

What would it take to get them down to the (estimated) speeds of 1895? Could it be done for a day and returned to normal easily, or is it something that would take a number of days to progressively impliment and undo?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Ralph,

It would take a couple of days to get them to the slower speed you desire, that's not the difficult part.

Getting them back to their normal speeds might take longer and is always dependent upon Mother Nature.

It's NOT a one day process.

[Joe Hancock]

Ralph,

Interesting question, and to piggy back on the speed issue, I wonder what the grain may have been like back then? I suspect it would be virtually impossible to replicate the green surfaces of yesteryear.

Joe

[RSLivingston_III]

I assumed that adding grass length was the way to slow the speed. And figured that that would cause grain/texture as a natural side effect.
Actually, isn't grain/texture and grass blade length essentially the same thing?

[Joe Hancock]

Ralph,

No, they're not the same. Grain is a pattern of direction that the grass leaves are laying. Often it is associated with water movement and/ or sun position.

Superintendents use many tools to keep grain to a minimum, and the low mowing heights help in that regards as well. New turfgrass cultivars are bred to be dense and upright. Vertical mowing, frequent topdressing and brushing, using grooved rollers on greens mowers, etc., are all things that are used today. 100 years ago, they were still maintaining greens with minimal water(if any) and older grass varieties, not to mention the lack of grooming tools and the manpower required.

Joe

[TEPaul]

"What would it take to get them down to the (estimated) speeds of 1895?"


Ralph:

If it is really something akin to the green speeds of 1895 you want to replicate, my suggestion as the easiest and simplest way to do it would be to cut cups in the fairway approaches to greens and use them as the greens.

We get that effect here in the northeast sometimes when we take our greens out of play in the winter and use temporary greens in the approaches.

[Adam Clayman]

Who would even know what the greens speeds were in 1895?

Sure we could all have a guess, but it would be impossible to know.

My guess...5.5-7

[Joe Hancock]

Adam,

I forgot who told me, but they indicated that back in the day, when grain and lack of irrigation reigned supreme, it was not uncommon for a downhill putt to be very fast while back uphill was impossibly slow. The ability of a golfer to adjust was a key component of skill(much of which is no longer required to putt).

Joe