Simple Technique to Introduce New Grass on an Established Course

Why we have to change grass Laemchabang International Country Club is a 27 holes golf course which was constructed in 1992 and opened in 1994, using TifDwarf on Green and Tifway 419 on Tee, Fairway and rough areas. It has been in services for 20 years with approximately 60-70,000 rounds a year and also allowed golf cart in fairway. We had badly compaction which caused all drainage, algae, diseases and grass healthiness problems. Although we did a lot of cultivation program such as coring and topdressing, it was not be able to help much. In the same time, the Committee of the golf course would like to change fairway grass to Paspalum for its color and density in the most economical way. After all researches and studying, we decided to use Insertion and double sprig methods to change our grass.

Comparison between Seashore Paspalum and Bermuda 419 Seashore PaspalumBermuda – 419 High densityLow density Better Tolerable in low HOCLower Tolerable in low HOC Less cutting frequency is possible because it grows horizontally more than vertically. Cannot extend the cutting interval, because it grows vertically more than horizontally Easier to make stripesGrass has to be healthy enough to make stripes No dew on leaves, helps about diseases prevention and management program Dew is always on leaves. Thatch layer bluid up rapidly, required more cultivation program. Required less cultivation and maintenance program. Required more waterBetter tolerated with water shortage situation Slower recover from dryness and scalpingBetter recover from dryness and scalping

Before and After

Bermuda – 419 and Paspalum Bermuda – 419 Paspalum

Bermuda-419 and Paspalum stolon

Why we have to change Grass - To increase fairway and tee off density - To reduce weeds problems - To reduce wet spot. - To smooth fairway and tee surface - To separate fairway from rough - For new appearance of the course - It was long time in services. - For the pleasure of the owner and golfers

Subsurface Drainage

Cart Path

Preparation before change Prepare grass stolon Tools and equipment Check irrigation system Topdressing sand Labors Grow-in Program

Changing Method Insertion Sprig by stolon which is less time and money consumer but required more stolon and good irrigation program

Preparation before change Grass Stolon Tools and equipment Check irrigation system Topdressing sand Labors Grow-in Program

Changing Method Sprig Insertion

Stolonizing

Insertion Procedure Prepare area we want to change grass by slicing as in picture Prepare stolon of grass we will use Prepare enough labors Insert grass stolon in sliced lines Roll with small roller Topdress Irrigate

Area preparation Slice to open the grass up

Paspalum StolonsLabour

Hand Roller

TopdressingIrrigation

Grow-in after insertion Irrigation Fertilizing Mowing Growth regulator to control the growth

Grass start to establish

After 1 Month

After 3 Months

After 5 Months

After 8 Months

After 1 YEAR

Cost It will be differrent in each country, we can estimate roughly on the following cost - Cost of stolon - Wages - Grow-in maintenance cost included fertilizer, topdressing sand, insecticide, electric fare for pump station etc.