Further more, research greens are usually perfectly flat, often deep rooted, and seldom require a regiment of hand watering even during hot and dry summers. Difficult summer growing conditions, such as high temperature and moisture extremes, can dictate the fate of problem greens even when the best turf management practices are used. Excessive rain followed by high humidity and heat leads to a shallow dysfunctional root system. Dry spots develop and greens require more frequent watering. Summer diseases begin to show up and fungicide application is increased.
Some turf loss occurs and algae begins to invade the moist surface where grass is thin.
The amount of turf loss in any given year is unfortunately dependent upon the weather and how long the adverse conditions persist. Turf management practices are usually applied uniformly across a putting surface, however problem areas on a green are anything but uniform. Severe turf loss occurs in high stress areas of putting greens, and therefore, it is important to evaluate management practices and products under realistic conditions of high stress. Treatments are scheduled to begin September 1998. Construction of the green was funded by Iowa State University, Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.