Divot Resistance Varies among Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass Cultivars

Divots created by a golf stroke are a natural occurrence on golf courses and the resistance of turf to divot injury is an important factor that should be considered when selecting a turfgrass. Therefore, the primary objective of this experiment was to quantify the divot resistance for various bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Rich.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) cultivars in a field experiment, with a secondary objective to compare evaluation methods for quantifying divot resistance. This study was conducted in Fayetteville, AR. Divot type, severity, and volume as well as a Turfgrass Shear Tester were used to determine divot resistance. ‘Riviera’ bermudagrass had the largest volume per divot (70 cm3), while the smallest divots (<28 cm3) were observed with ‘Cavalier’, ‘Diamond’, and ‘Zorro’ zoysiagrass. More force was required to displace divots from Diamond zoysiagrass than from Riviera, ‘Patriot’, or ‘Princess 77’ bermduagrass. Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. consistently demonstrated greater divot resistance than Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. The four methods for evaluating divot resistance provided similar findings for divot resistance for the cultivars and species tested. These results provide researchers methods for evaluating divot resistance and will allow golf course superintendents to better select cultivars and species that will improve playing conditions and reduce divot injury.