Golf Tees
Perfect play on perfect grasses
High Wear and Quick Repair
These are the key words necessary for a perfect tee, combined with a tolerance for close mowing down to 13-18 mm.
High or Low Input Tees?
Normally the rate of input on tees is not an issue. Conditions for the grass are so rough that the very best is needed. This means that fertilisation, irrigation and fungicide treatment need to be optimal.
Choice of Species
The species with the very best wear tolerance are Perennial ryegrass and Poa pratensis. The latter also has the benefit of rhizomatous growth which repairs the holes (divots) in the turf. Both species needs relatively high inputs in order to perform well. In many cases the mixture contains some of the very dense and drought tolerant red fescue.
Importance of Varieties
Low mowing on the tees makes it necessary to choose varieties carefully. Not all good varieties with hard wear tolerance can stand close mowing. Many so-called sports varieties are better suited for football stadiums where mowing is only down to 2,5-3,5 cm. For perennial ryegrass, varieties which are dense growing with fine leaves, it is necessary to maintain an attractive appearance and good ground cover.
Perennial Ryegrass
Is among the most wear tolerant of species and is suitable for golf courses with a large number of players e.g. Pay & Play courses. It regenerates quickly by setting new leaves and is a robust grass that withstands most diseases very well. It is important to choose varieties with very fine leaves and low growth in order to withstand close mowing.
Poa Pratensis
A new variety of Poa pratensis has been selected for fine leaves and dense growth. It is persistant and very wear tolerant with strong rhizomes and erect leafy shoots, which can be cleanly cut. With its rhizomatous growth, Poa pratensis will repair holes (divots) in the fairway easily and help keep it weed-free.
Fine Fescues
Trichophylla and commutata types of red fescue are the most dense and low growing red fescues. They tolerate close mowing very well. Trichophylla types have extremely good drought tolerance and maintain a very good summer appearance, making it possible to save water for irrigation. Commutata types are among the most winterhardy turf grasses to be found with excellent shoot density.
Proposal for the ideal golf tee mixtures
A
30% Lolium perenne-two varieties
10% Festuca rubra trichophylla
10% Festuca rubra commutata
50% Poa pratensis-two varieties
Sowing rate: app. 3,0 kg/100 m2
B
20% Lolium perenne-two varieties
25% Festuca rubra commutata
25% Festuca rubra trichophylla
30% Poa pratensis-two varieties
Sowing rate: app. 3,0 kg/100 m2
Top rated varieties specially recommended for golf tees
Perennial ryegrass
Margarita
Sauvignon
Festuca rubra trichophylla
Leonora
Rosita
Smirna
Festuca rubra commutata
Calliope
Medina
Papageno
Poa pratensis
Broadway
Conni
Mardona
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