Tis' the Season

The month of January is nearing an end, and Mother Nature has been quite kind to us up to this point.  Temperatures have been moderate to above average and there have been very few snow events here in the Bluegrass.  While the snow may not be falling, it is still a good time to remind all of those that play of the potential hazards of frost.  I've attached a video from the USGA about why there are frost delays and why it is important to stay off of the turf during a frost delay.  There are a few factors that can contribute to frost and how light or heavy it is.  The biggest factors being temperature and cloud cover. During the day, the sun increases the ground and air temperature.  If there are no clouds present that evening, all of the heat that accumulated during the day is released back into the atmosphere, resulting in cooler ground and air temperatures.  The cooler air will remain in the lower areas, resulting in some areas having a heavier or thicker frost than higher elevated areas. As is the case for us with hole #1.  Wind can also play a part in the severity of frost.  Even if the temperatures are conducive for frost, a strong breeze helps to prevent the dew from sitting on the leaf blade.  I've also attached a picture of what frost damage can look like.  With a little information, and a lot of patience, you can help keep our golf course looking good all year round.