Effects of Mowing and Rolling Frequency, Primo Maxx, and Roller Weight on Annual Bluegrass Putting Green Speed

Abstract

This study was conducted on an annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) putting green and examined the effects on ball roll distance (BRD) from five mowing and rolling frequency regimes using both a light and heavy roller with and without Primo Maxx. Treatments included: (i) mow daily with no rolling; (ii) mow daily + roll M, W, F; (iii) mow daily + roll daily; (iv) mow M, W, F, Sa + roll daily; and (v) alternate mowing and rolling daily. For six weeks during the summers of 2009 and 2010, ball roll distances were measured in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. BRD decreased an average of 0.5 ft from the morning to the afternoon. The heavy roller significantly increased BRD in 2009 by 0.4 ft or less, but not in 2010. Primo Maxx increased BRD an average of 0.5 ft in 2010, but not in 2009. Mowing + rolling daily produced the longest BRD followed by mow daily + roll M, W, F and mow M, W, F, Sa + roll every day which was 0.5 ft less. Mow daily with no rolling and alternate mowing and rolling daily had the shortest BRD averaging 1.2 ft less than mowing and rolling daily.