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