Turfgrass leaf area index (LAI) determinations are time consuming, labor intensive, and usually destructive. A system was devised in this study to measure LAI with a nondestructive method. Leaf area index was estimated indirectly based on canopy attenuation of light that was transmitted from a source placed at the base of the turf canopy. This methods essentially the reverse of a procedure used for measuring sunnfleck distribution. The correlation between LAI using the indirect method and LAI measured by use of a leaf area meter was r = 0.93. Leaf area index determinations were made without destroying experimental units. This nondestructive method allows turfgrass canopy growth estimation over time using the same experimental units.