A healthy green can be maintained at a very short cutting height for short periods of time without serious consequences if it has been properly prepared and the weather conditions are acceptable. Courses hosting tournaments often take months and spend significant extra money to bring greens up to ultra fast speed for tour players. However, fast greens are extremely fragile. Their immune systems become very weak. They become susceptible to diseases and pests and therefore require more chemical treatments.
Weather can also quickly destroy the health of an ultra fast green.
High temperatures and lack of moisture in the air are deadly to greens that are maintained at very short cutting heights for any length of time. Golfers and the golf industry should understand and accept the limitations of these living systems we call greens. Golfers should heed the advice of those who manage, nurture, and protect greens. Many of us must change our attitude about the competitive aspect of green speeds. We should, like Mr. Stimpson, strive for fairness, not fastness.