Frost
by the Green Section staff
Q: During the spring our golf course superintendent has an irritating habit of delaying morning play until the frost has melted on the greens. Is this truly necessary to protect the health of the turf? (Missouri)
A: The short answer to your question is yes. The long answer is that ice crystals on the surface of the grass makes them brittle enough to break off at their base when stepped on. In fact, the turf can become so brittle that even a small animal, such as a goose, can cause unsightly damage to the turf.
The Green Section offers a short animation explaining the problems of frost in greater detail.
