Our Divot Program

We have had some interest in our divot mixes lately, so I thought I would take the time to explain how we are running our divot program.  

We have many different cultivars of grass on the golf course.  Our fairway blends are a mixture of a few types of Kentucky bluegrass, and Perenial ryegrass. The Tees and Greens are a monostand of different cultivars of bentgrass – depending on the golf course.  The different types of seeds are all different sizes, some can be seen easily, and some are tougher to see.  Bentgrass seed is actually about the size of a grain of salt (smaller then 1mm), and is near impossible to see, without a microscope once mixed! But, be sure there is always seed in the mix from mid-April until October.

The mixes are precise rates of sand, compost, and seed to ensure optimal germination.  If you have too much seed in the mix, the grass will actually “choke” itself out through competition for resources. If you have too little seed, then the “fill in” time is slow.  Seed mixes are mechanically mixed and used daily, because they have a short shelf life.  If left, the seed will germinate, and once germination occurs the plants mortality rate will dramatically increase if it is not permanently planted.  The mix is either stored in a large container and covered with a protective covering, or immediately put on the courses in the cart bottles. 

The turf crew does divots daily on each tee box, concentrating on the par 3’s. We also have a very dedicated member group that will tour the courses some mornings filling fairway divots.  We want to encourage players to please replace your divot, if you can not replace your divot, then use the seed mix. Replacing the divot is by far the preferred action.

Thank you,

Michael Long

Predator Ridge Golf Course Superintendent