Why do Courses Overseed?

What is overseeding?

Overseeding is the process of planting cool-season grass, such as ryegrass or Poa Trivialis, over an existing warm-season turf, like Bermudagrass. This is typically done in the fall to ensure year-round playability and a lush green appearance, as warm-season grasses become dormant during the cooler winter months.

What is the typical process for overseeding greens?

Golf course maintenance teams follow a meticulous process to ensure successful overseeding. At the ACGT, we will be implementing the following when overseeding our greens this fall.

1. Brushing: 
   1. The greens will be brushed with a special drag brush to make the existing Bermuda turf canopy stand up. This allows the new seeds to drop into the turf canopy, creating an ideal seedbed.
2. Seeding:
   1. After brushing, the maintenance crew applies the seed precisely using a calibrated drop spreader, typically in two directions. For example, we will overseed with Poa Trivialis, and target a rate of 350 pounds of seed per acre of green.
3. Topdressing & Rolling:
   1. A layer of sand is spread over the green and rolled. This ensures good seed-to-soil contact for better germination and also smooths the putting surface.
4. Germination and Irrigation:
   1. Immediate and consistent watering is vital for seed germination. The greens will be irrigated multiple times daily, leading to softer and wetter conditions. Trained staff monitor and water the greens as needed, even between tee times.

Why is overseeding important?

Overseeding provides several key benefits for a golf course during the winter:

• Winter protection: The new, actively growing grass protects the dormant Bermudagrass from damage caused by winter play and foot traffic.
• Improved playability: It helps maintain the quality of the playing surface during the off-season for Bermudagrass greens.
• Enhanced aesthetics: It provides a green, aesthetically pleasing turf.
• Weed control: The new growth helps suppress weed invasion.

What to expect during Overseeding:

While beneficial for the course’s long-term health, the overseeding process can temporarily impact play. Golfers should anticipate: 

• Greens conditions: Slower and bumpier greens initially, as the new grass establishes and is mowed at a higher-than-normal height during establishment. 
• Soft Ground: Wetter, softer greens and compacted wet greenside bunkers due to increased irrigation needs for germination. 

 

Want to know when your favorite Alamo City Golf Trail course is being overseeded? Feel free to check out our Course Care Calendar HERE for more information.