01/30/2026
Long post here but Its a very knowledgeable post as to why we and other courses do what we do during winter days that don’t get much above freezing….
Walking on frozen, frost-covered golf course grass causes significant damage by breaking, rupturing, and killing the plant cells, leading to dead, brown, and discolored footprints that can persist for months. This damage is particularly severe on closely mowed areas like putting greens and fairways.
Key Damage Details and Consequences
Cellular Rupture: Frost is frozen dew that makes grass rigid and brittle; walking on it shatters the, plant cells.
Visible Damage Delayed: The damage is not immediate but appears as brown, dead footprints roughly 48-72 hours later.
Long-Term Impact: Affected turf is weakened, making it susceptible to disease and weeds, which may take weeks or months to recover, affecting the course's quality well into spring.
High-Traffic Risk: Even a few passes can cause damage; seven passes of cart traffic have been shown to cause significant, long-lasting damage to fairways.
Why Frost Delays Exist
Golf courses implement frost delays to allow the ice crystals inside the grass blades to melt, preventing long-term damage that is costly and difficult to repair. The risk of damage is higher in shaded areas that stay frozen longer.
Recommendations
Stay off: Never walk or drive on frost-covered greens or fairways.
Wait: Call the clubhouse to check if a frost delay is in effect before playing.
Respect signs: Even if your local area is clear, other parts of the course may still have frozen areas.
Please feel free to share.
