Types of Grass Used on Golf Courses: Greens, Fairways and Tees

Types of grass on a golf course by area

Courses in the transition zone, the band across the middle of the US where both cool- and warm-season grasses struggle at times, mix and match, and many have shifted fairways toward newer cold-hardy bermudagrass or zoysia varieties.

Types of grass for golf greens and putting greens

Greens are mowed lower than any other turf, often around an eighth of an inch or less, so the grass must tolerate extremely low cutting and produce a smooth, consistent roll.

• Creeping bentgrass is the traditional choice for cool and temperate climates. It has fine leaves, spreads by stolons and handles very low mowing.
• Poa annua (annual bluegrass) often invades bentgrass greens and on some courses becomes the dominant, managed grass. It can putt beautifully but is sensitive to heat and stress.
• Ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivars were bred for greens in hot climates, tolerating low mowing and summer heat.
• Seashore paspalum is used on greens at some coastal and tropical courses where salt is a factor.

For home putting greens, these grasses demand daily mowing and specialized care, which is why many homeowners choose synthetic putting turf instead.

Fairways, tees and roughs

Fairways are cut higher than greens, roughly a half inch or so on many courses, and must provide a tight lie and tolerate divots. Tees take concentrated divot damage, so fast recovery is important; that favors bermudagrass in the South and bentgrass or ryegrass blends in the North. Mowing height has a large effect on bermudagrass performance; see our guide to bermuda mowing height.

Roughs are cut taller to penalize missed shots and are often the least intensively managed areas. Fine fescues are common in native or out-of-play areas on links-style and northern courses because they need little water and fertilizer once established.

Your state extension service publishes cultivar trial results that superintendents use when choosing grasses for greens and fairways.

Surface consistency on courses, greens and fields

Whatever the grass, the goal on a golf course is a consistent, predictable surface: true roll on greens, firm and even lies on fairways. The same principles apply to sports fields and backyard putting greens, where uneven grades, poor drainage or inconsistent density show up immediately in how the ball rolls or bounces.

Keeping that consistency takes skilled people. If you are curious about careers in this field, our page on turf management salary covers the roles involved. For backyard putting greens or high-use areas where natural grass is not practical, we can connect you with vetted crews for professional artificial turf installation.