This type of pattern is commonly seen on infected St. Augustinegrass grown in shady, moist locations. Bentgrass may not show individual lesions, but leaves will turn brown and shrivel. Infected warm-season grasses rarely have leaf spots but instead have rotted leaf sheaths near the soil surface. All types of lawn grasses grown in South Carolina can be affected by brown patch. There are no turfgrass species entirely resistant to brown patch currently available.
Brown patch is the most common and important disease of tall fescue in the Southeast.
In most cases affected areas are able to recover, but tall fescue lawns less than a year old can be completely killed. The best way to prevent brown patch in the home lawn is by following good lawn care practices. This is much easier and less expensive than the use of fungicides and can be very effective. Avoid high rates of nitrogen fertilizer on cool season grasses in the late spring and summer. Avoid high nitrogen rates on warm season grasses in mid to late fall.