Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) provides information on the testing and adaptation of the turfgrass cultivars, searchable by state and NTEP test location. Maryland test results and recommendations can be found on the NTEP website. Recommendations for Maryland are also published and updated annually in Recommended Turfgrass Cultivars for Certified Sod Production and Seed Mixtures in Maryland . 2016. University of Maryland. When selecting cultivars for a specific site, considerations include the desired use, site and microclimate conditions, disease resistance, and spring transition traits. The Maryland Department of Agriculture administers the Maryland Certified Sod program. Certified sod must contain only the recommended cultivars. Requiring certified sod in specifications guarantees that the sod contains currently recommended cultivars, has been seeded in recommended percentages, and is of high quality with minimal pest problems.

Best Management Practices

• Follow grow-in BMPs as provided in the "Planning, Design, and Construction" chapter. • Use only Maryland-certified sod. • Select cultivars that are adapted to the desired use, taking note of disease resistance, spring transition traits, and other traits such as shade and wear tolerance. • Develop and implement strategies, such as hydro-seeding or hydro-mulching, to effectively control sediment, minimize the loss of topsoil, and protect water quality.

Figure 30. Gray leaf spot incidence difference in fairway perennial ryegrass in NTEP trial. Photo credit: Thomas Turner.

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