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Number one in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is increased customer satisfaction. This has always been a primary reason for rolling greens. Fifteen years ago, the roller might only have been used for the club championship to ensure a smooth surface. Rolling greens results in smoother surfaces, which can either increase the speed of play or, if the speed is already sufficient, allow for a higher mowing height, thus improving traffic tolerance. Both outcomes lead to increased customer satisfaction.
Golfers appreciate the smoothness of the greens, noticing the nice, smooth turn of the ball when putting. This enhanced playing experience is a key reason to promote lightweight rolling. It’s easy to justify the purchase of a roller to club members by emphasizing that the primary goal is to make them happy. Additionally, sharing the other nine reasons for lightweight rolling, such as improved turf health and reduced maintenance costs, further supports the case. This is why you might even propose the need for two rollers, ensuring optimal playing conditions and maximum member satisfaction.
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Second top reason to lightweight roll is the economic benefit. This concept was explored in studies initiated at Michigan State University, where the idea of replacing mowing with rolling was examined. The initial approach involved alternating mowing and rolling on different days: mowing on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and rolling on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday without mowing. Measurements on both warm and cool season grasses showed that alternating mowing and rolling resulted in the same green speed as mowing every day. However, for warm season grasses like Bermuda grass or paspalum, this method is effective only during the cooler months.
Similarly, for cool season grasses, it works best when temperatures are around 80°F (25°C). The economic advantage is significant, as rolling is less costly than mowing due to reduced labor and maintenance. Further experimentation revealed that rolling every day and mowing every other day maintains the same green speeds as mowing daily, which saves money and reduces wear on the grass. This method can be applied for several months depending on weather conditions and can help maintain healthy turf with less localized dry spots and wear from traffic. Ultimately, rolling more and mowing less, when appropriate, is a smart and economical practice that ensures excellent playing conditions and healthier grass.
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Number three in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is one of the most significant discoveries in my research career: the observation that lightweight rolling three times a week decreases the disease known as dollar spot. This discovery is monumental because dollar spot is the number one disease that we spend money on to control, making frequent fungicide applications whenever conditions are right. These conditions are present anytime the temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) and there is humidity, regardless of whether it is cool season or warm season grass.
By rolling at least three times a week, we found less dollar spot. However, the reduction in dollar spot due to lightweight rolling is not immediate. On my research plots started in May 1995, I began noticing reductions in rolled plots, but it wasn’t statistically significant at first. I thought it was an outlier. However, in subsequent years from 1996 to 2000, I consistently observed less dollar spot on rolled plots compared to non-rolled plots.
Studies at Michigan State University, working with Dr. Joe Vargas and Dr. Paul Giordano, explored different rolling methods. One study involved rolling twice a day, six times a week, compared to rolling once a day, six times a week, and rolling once a day in the afternoon. The results showed that rolling, whether in the morning or afternoon, reduced dollar spot similarly, indicating that the timing related to dew or guttation water was not a factor. Rolling twice a day resulted in a more immediate reduction in dollar spot. However, it is generally not recommended to roll more than twice a day.
The reason for the reduction in dollar spot with increased rolling is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be related to the increase in beneficial bacteria in the soil, which may help combat fungi-caused diseases like dollar spot. Therefore, the reduction of dollar spot through lightweight rolling is a crucial reason to adopt this practice.
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Number four in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is better topdressing incorporation. When we topdress our greens or any other areas, it’s crucial to keep the topdressing material, such as sand, on the site. Research with vibratory rollers has shown that they significantly improve topdressing incorporation. One of the biggest advantages of using a vibratory roller is the approximately 45% reduction in the amount of sand picked up from cool season grasses if you roll once after topdressing.
The process involves first brushing the topdressing into the grass canopy and then rolling. This ensures that the topdressing material is incorporated more quickly and effectively. The next day, far less sand is picked up in maintenance equipment, indicating better incorporation into the canopy. Effective topdressing incorporation helps reduce organic matter buildup over time, which is one of the primary reasons for topdressing in the first place. Keeping the sand on the site ensures that it fulfills its purpose of minimizing organic matter buildup. Therefore, better topdressing incorporation is a key reason to incorporate lightweight rolling following brushing.
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Number five in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is decreased cutworm activity. Although I am not an entomologist and did not conduct a formal study counting cutworms, I observed this phenomenon through bird activity on my putting greens. When cutworms are present, birds peck at the greens to feed on them, leaving noticeable holes. By counting these bird pecking holes early in the morning, when the dew made them easy to spot, I found that areas that were rolled had significantly fewer bird pecking holes.
The typical order of operation is to mow in the morning and then roll the greens. During this process, not all clippings are collected in the mower bucket; some remain on the green. Rolling after mowing helps to pick up these stray clippings, along with cutworm eggs that may have survived the mowing. Research by Dr. Dan Potter at the University of Kentucky found that cutworms lay a single egg on the tip of bentgrass plants, and around 70% of these eggs survive mowing. These eggs, if left on the greens, will hatch into cutworms.
By rolling and removing the clippings, we are also potentially removing cutworm eggs, thereby reducing cutworm activity. This reduction in cutworm eggs and larvae translates to less bird activity since birds are less attracted to the greens when cutworms are not present. While this might be a bit of a stretch, the correlation between less bird pecking and rolled greens is clear.
Therefore, number five on the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is decreased cutworm activity, or at the very least, a reduction in bird pecking holes associated with cutworm presence.
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One of the top reasons to lightweight roll, number six on the list, is to raise the mowing height while maintaining the same green speed. This idea was first explored in 1993 to see if higher mowing heights could achieve the same green speed as lower mowing heights. The study involved rolling every other day (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and mowing every day. Initially, the lower cut (five thirty-seconds of an inch) was faster, but after a week and a half, the higher cut (three sixteenths of an inch) achieved the same green speed on the days it was rolled and the day after. This showed that rolling could retain green speed for about 48 hours, provided there wasn’t too much thatch buildup.
By maintaining a higher height of cut and rolling three times a week, the same green speeds were achieved as with a lower height of cut. Raising the mowing height while rolling led to healthier turf and reduced disease incidence, particularly anthracnose, as found by Dr. Joseph A. Roberts, Dr. James A. Murphy, and Dr. Bruce B. Clarke at Rutgers University. Michigan State studies also showed that higher mowing heights with daily rolling improved wear tolerance and green speed, even under traffic stress. Thus, raising the mowing height and incorporating regular rolling can significantly decrease anthracnose and enhance wear tolerance, providing excellent playability conditions.
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Number seven in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is the reduction of localized dry spots. This discovery, made in 1995, compared plots that were rolled three times a week to plots that were never rolled. During the heat of the summer, after about two months of rolling, the rolled plots exhibited fewer localized dry spots than the non-rolled plots. Initially, this was thought to be a fluke, but repeated observations in subsequent years, including 1996, confirmed the pattern.
To understand why rolling decreased localized dry spots, soil samples were analyzed for bulk density and infiltration rates. It was found that rolling did not increase compaction or decrease infiltration. Further testing with pressure plates revealed that rolled plots retained more moisture. This finding was puzzling until root samples taken in 2000 showed that rolled plots had significantly more root mass. More roots likely contributed to greater moisture-holding capacity, explaining the reduced localized dry spots.
Research from Michigan State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Arkansas corroborates these findings, showing that frequent rolling helps retain more moisture in the soil. This effect is particularly beneficial in preventing localized dry spots. It’s also important to note that all research plots were regularly top-dressed every two to three weeks during the growing season to prevent compaction. This practice is common in golf course maintenance, further supporting the benefits of frequent rolling in reducing localized dry spots.
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Number eight in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is the reduction of broadleaf weeds, moss, and algae. This discovery was made in 1996 when it was observed that rolling decreased the presence of broadleaf weeds such as plantain, mousier chickweed, and small dandelions on putting greens. The data collected showed a statistically significant reduction in these weeds on rolled greens compared to non-rolled greens.
Additionally, moss was found to be less prevalent on rolled greens. Dr. Douglas Karcher at the University of Arkansas conducted a study with the Tru-Turf roller and found that rolling also reduced algae growth on cool season grasses during the summer. The hypothesis is that rolling creates a thicker, denser turf, making it harder for weeds, moss, and algae to establish due to the reduced light and smoother, more uniform surface.
Further research is being conducted to understand the exact mechanisms. For example, Nick Binder, a master’s student, observed that clover in rolled plots on sports fields developed a disease, whereas clover in non-rolled plots remained disease-free. Another observation from a superintendent suggested that traffic, like that on a cart path, might prevent moss growth, as areas where cart tires regularly passed were moss-free.
While the precise reasons for these reductions are still being studied, it is clear that lightweight rolling at least three times a week significantly decreases the presence of broadleaf weeds, moss, and algae on golf course greens and other fine turf surfaces.
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Number nine in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll is seedbed preparation. This principle is well-documented in almost every textbook: the best way to ensure good seed-to-soil contact is to roll an area after seeding. Research has consistently shown that rolling greens after seeding significantly improves establishment. There are several key stages where rolling is beneficial during establishment.
First, rolling is used to perfect the contours and level the surface, which is crucial for areas like bowling greens. Second, immediately after seeding, rolling ensures optimal seed-to-soil contact, which is critical for germination and establishment. Finally, research from Michigan State has demonstrated that rolling the plots several times a week for about a month before the first mowing promotes tillering and helps the grass fill in more quickly, resulting in better playing conditions from the start.
These three stages—contour leveling, post-seeding rolling for seed-to-soil contact, and frequent rolling during early establishment—comprise the comprehensive approach to seedbed preparation, highlighting the importance of rolling in achieving optimal turf establishment and quality.
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Number ten in the top ten reasons to lightweight roll your greens is to alleviate frost heaving and reduce scalping. During the winter months, the freeze-thaw cycles cause the ground to heave. Before the first mowing in the spring, it is essential to roll the greens at least once to minimize scalping. This practice has been used for years in northern and extreme southern climates to address frost heaving effectively.
Beyond frost heaving, rolling is also beneficial in situations where there is significant thatch swelling due to heavy rains, warm season grasses, high humidity, and possibly missed mowing. During these hot and humid periods, rolling the grass before mowing helps to manage the swelling and further reduces the risk of scalping.
In summary, rolling the greens helps to smooth out the surface and ensures better mowing conditions, both after winter frost heaving and during periods of high humidity and heavy rain. This practice leads to healthier turf and improved playability.
The “Top Ten Reasons to Roll” highlights why rolling is a game-changing practice for modern golf course maintenance. Dr. Nikolai’s research proves that lightweight rolling not only enhances playability but also promotes healthier turf, reduces maintenance costs, and addresses critical challenges like disease control and sustainability.
At Tru-Turf, we take pride in providing the industry’s most reliable and effective rollers to help you unlock these benefits. Our rollers are designed to deliver smooth, consistent results, making them an essential tool for achieving the outstanding greens that golfers expect.
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