By Dr. Kevin W. Frank, Michigan State University
Winter is coming.
This popular tag line from Game of Thrones means something a little different for golf courses across the state as they recover from a late spring and tough summer and prepare for the unknown that winter may offer. 
Here are 5 things golfers might notice out on the links as course superintendents prepare for winter.
- Shademanagement
Winterkill seeks out the weakest, most susceptible plants and finishes them off. Winterkill patterns often mirror shade patterns on greens; turfgrass growing in the shade is not as healthy as turfgrass growing in sunlight. In addition, shaded areas in winter may result in ice forming and staying in place longer than areas in sunlight. Improving sunlight penetration by removing or thinning tree canopies will improve turfgrass health and may improve the odds of turfgrass surviving winter.
- Surface Drainage
Low spots or ‘birdbaths’ on putting greens where water collects and then freezes over in winter are susceptible to winterkill. For greens that lack surface drainage, superintendents might cut cup cutter holes in low areas and fill with gravel or cut sod strips from greens to facilitate water movement off the greens once snowmelt begins.
- Punch Holes and Let it Grow!
Fall is prime time to improve turfgrass health that many of us golfers lament. Core aeration and sand topdressing not only improves turf health but may mitigate winterkill by improving drainage. Raising mowing heights as autumn progresses will also improve turf health and anything that improves turf health will help the turf survive winter.
4. TurfgrassCovers
Some golf courses use covers to protect greens in Michigan, but most do not. The reasons for not using covers include cost, storage, lifespan, and unpredictable winter weather. There are different covers, some let the greens breath (permeable) while others completely seal the green surface (impermeable). Permeable covers provide protection from low temperatures and dry winters but they will not prevent damage from ice cover. Impermeable covers protect the turf from ice cover damage but are not necessarily a panacea for all winter worries.
- Snow Mold
As winter approaches, golf course superintendents diligently plan snow mold fungicide applications to protect the golf course. Pink snow mold may occur throughout the fall while gray snow mold is more likely to occur under extensive snow cover throughout the winter. Fungicide applications are critical to ensuring turf in the spring of 2019 will be ready for play.
