Influence of brush type and brushing frequency on putting green ball roll distance and turfgrass quality

Golf course managers manipulate cultural practices in preparation for golf tournaments to increase ball roll distance (BRD) short periods of time. Brushing putting greens, thought be a relatively minimally disruptive practice using brush attachments mounted mower units vertically orient leaf blades prior mowing, is growing popularity despite little research validating purported benefits. The objectives this study were evaluate the impact types (rotary, stiff push, and soft push brush) brushing frequency (no brushing, once, or twice) combined with mowing on BRD turfgrass quality creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) green over 2-wk period. All produced >20-cm reduction compared no by end 14-d trial 2016 2017. Additionally, all significantly lowered quality, resulting unacceptable quality. once reduced turf not daily mowing. Double increased equivalent single without but declined below acceptable thresholds. results indicate that incorporated into regimen period decreases Increasing may eliminate reductions from should caution when implementing especially shorter time expectations are increased.