My course is in the process of growing in new bentgrass greens (Dominant Plus). They were seeded in October and have developed a good stand though they still have a long way to go before play begins.
To help promote continued growth through the winter months, a number of the greens were covered using permeable greens covers. (Not all of the greens were covered since the course got the covers for free from another project and we did not have enough.) Yesterday we took the covers off the greens and the difference in growth is shocking compared to those that were not covered. The root growth difference is dramatic with the covered greens having 2" depth while the uncovered greens only have about 1" to 1.25" depth.
This background leads to my question concerning if any of you have used greens covers throughout the winter months to promote deeper root depth and a better turf start for the spring? This is obviously dependent on the facilities play habits, but it seems that those places that tend to be covered with snow for extended periods could benefit from this sort of approach, as long as good snow mold control was maintained.
I would love to hear about any experiences you have had in this regard. You can see pictures of the greens at my course at my website
http://chrissorrell.com .
Chris Sorrell
Boiling Springs Golf Course
Woodward, OK