Heat, humidity, rainfall and golf greens

Over the past couple of weeks, we have experienced some interesting conditions here at Glen Echo.
Heavy rain, high humidity, multiple days with temperatures over 90 degrees, double the normal rainfall do not equate to firm and quick golf greens.  We also experienced a much warmer than normal June which encouraged our warm season turf but also created some initial problems for our cool season turf.

Our push up greens with 3-5" of soil do not dry out quickly which leads to a putting surface that is soft, puffy, and not in the best of health during high humidity and heat.  We are doing everything we can to promote healthy turf in a number of ways on our greens.   

• Raising our height of cut slightly which increases the leaf surface allowing the plant to produce more energy to survive the stress period.  Slightly higher mowing heights also reduce some of the scalping which occurs when greens get soft this time of year.  As you can see on our greens, there is still some scalping occuring near the edge of some greens.  
• Use smooth rollers instead of the grooved rollers which creates even pressure across the length of the mower.  Our grooved rollers push down on the surface of the green and creates additional stress to the turf.  
• Substitute rolling for mowing on an occassion which keeps the plant from being cut which can then give an opening for disease to enter the plant.  Rolling does allow us to maintain speed. 
• Needle tining our greens which will help moisture move through the profile either down and or out through evaporation. Compacted greens can provide an environment which encourages the onset of a number of diseases.
• Handwatering greens only as needed and leave the overhead irrigation shut off to our greens.
• Applying protective treatments plus light fertilizer and micronutrients to allow the turf to potentially grow out of any damaged and or diseased condition as weather changes to the better.
• Eliminate cultural practices such as topdressing with sand, verticutting, and excessive grooming which can damage plants and encourage disease.

We've had 37 days so far over 90 degrees and it appears that the next 10-12 days could include highs above 90 as well.  Normal for St. Louis is around 42 days so it appears we will be way above that for this season.  6.69" of rain for July which is double the amount we normally receive and most of this occurred during the last 10 days of July. 

As temperatures begin to moderate, especially night temperatures down into the 60's, we will begin the process of speeding up our greens to the normal putting condition that you have come to expect here at Glen Echo.  I appreciate your patience during this most difficult period of weather that we are facing at the club.