GN-1 Bermuda Grass

[Joel_Stewart]

I just returned from Florida and had the chance to play a number of courses including The Medalist.  One thing I always forget (coming from California) is how great Bermuda grass can be when in top condition.  This was certinitly true at The Medalist which was in perfect condition considering they had experienced quite a bit of rain.

My question is how does GN-1 compare to other types of Bermuda and if anyone knows how the new GN-2 differs from GN-1.

[jg7236]

One of my degrees is in Turfgrass Science, I should know this, but GN-1 and GN-2 are one of the newiest hybrids so my books from schooling don't have much on it.  I am thinking but am not sure but this hybrid is probably more dense than other burmuda grasses and one doesn't need to cut this buermuda grass a short and it is extremely durable.  I will call a couple of my turf buddies and try to find info for you.  While I am doing that you might want to look at a couple of websites: Ohio State University, Rutgers, Penn State University, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

[WilliamWang]

you could also try a call to greg norman design.  the gn designation is for greg norman as his turf farm developed both of these bermuda hybrids.

also, as for gn-1 it's pretty much a standard choice for football stadiums.  it's cold resistant, establishes fast & regrows quickly, has a nice dark green color.  compared to other types of bermuda it is supposed to be more disease and parasite resistant.

[Jeff_Lewis]

One of the original criticisms of Medalist was that it was too hard and fast, given the lack of rough. The usable landing areas were absolutely tiny. The course originally had GN-1 on 17 and 18 as a test. After 2 or 3 years, the rest of the fairways were changed. It made a meaningful difference in the playability and fairness of the golf course. The course now has a "texture" somewhere between extremely hard and what one might find in the northeast. The ball sits up beautifully on it. I would give the grass a very high rating, if anyone is considering it for a course in a similar climate.

[Charles_P.]

Here's the best info I could find:

http://www.ncturfgrass.com/bermuda.asp

[harley Kruse]

for a bit more background take a look at

http://www.shark.com/gnturf/prodsvcs.htm

[Joel_Stewart]

Thanks to all, I've learned something.  To recap there are 5 different types of bermuda,

Tifsport
GN-1
Tifway 419
Tifgreen 328
Vamont

and a new GN-2 coming soon.

Its my understanding that the GN-1 is expensive, in fact much more expensive than any of the others.  Anyone know how they price this type of grass.

[Don_Mahaffey]

Joel,
There are many, many more types of Bermuda then the ones you mentioned. Yes, those are some of the more common varieties, but there are many others in use today. Anyone interested in turf grasses and how they are graded in trials should go to www.ntep.org, the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program's website sponsored by the USDA and the growers. Interestingly, GN is not submitted for trial.
Also, in most cases even a trained supt. would have difficulty differentiating between most of the vegitativly planted hybrid bermudas. Availability, cost, purity, will usually be what drives selection. All bermudas can be maintained lean and mean, we rarely see it because a lean bermuda is not a pleasing color and thus they are almost always over watered and over fertilized. If anyone played on a bermuda and thought it was a firm, fast playing surface, IMHO, it was a result of how the grass is cared for more then the variety.