Super’ s Corner ►
The Need for Speed
How Supers Get Greens to Roll Smooth and Quick by Jacob Rockhold, superintendent
Rolling the green at Stone Canyon( Photo by Bill Cromwell)
Wow, these greens must be rolling 11 today! Everyone loves fast greens. Trying to get putting greens to roll smooth and fast is a process that takes time, and the process is a season-long effort beginning in early spring. Superintendents are now capable of getting green speeds faster than ever before. So, have you ever wondered how we get those plush greens to roll so well?
You might think— just mowing the grass as short as possible is easy enough to get fast greens. That will kill them! However, new equipment and methods are what allow superintendents to create“ speed.” Today’ s innovations in technology contribute to newer methods of creating and maintaining better green speed.
These innovations in equipment design and technology have helped superintendents tremendously. For example, the latest mowers now feature blade reels with up to 16 blades, enabling a nearly perfect cut on putting greens. Mower blades have also been designed to cut more quickly, saving us time. There are blades and cutting units made from stronger metals that last longer, reducing costs. With these stronger metals, greens mowers can be set to heights that were previously unheard of. Many major tournaments and professional events are known to cut greens as low as 0.085 inches. Normal mowing heights for regular play usually range between 0.110 and 0.140 inches. There is very little margin for error when mowing grass at such low heights.
Additionally, this new equipment enables superintendents to achieve faster and smoother greens without lowering the mower height. Rollers are used extensively to create a smoother, faster roll. These rollers resemble those used to compact asphalt on highways, but obviously smaller and lighter in scale. Some superintendents use lightweight rollers for everyday use, while others prefer heavier rollers that create a smoother putting surface. Both types are highly effective and valuable tools for a superintendent. A superintendent will incorporate both mowing and rolling into the greens’ maintenance
14 September 2025 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE schedule to achieve the desired speed. Although speeds can fluctuate daily, consistency is desired by both golfers and superintendents.
Weather can also significantly impact green speeds. Dry conditions create firm ground and faster greens. Conversely, wet conditions soften the ground, making it harder to achieve an even cut. During wet weather, grass tends to grow quicker, which causes the ball to roll slower across the green— man, these greens are slow! This is a major reason why newer greens are built and cultivated on a sand base, which helps water drain faster and keeps conditions drier.
There is a cause and effect to having fast greens. The more frequently mowing and rolling are performed, the more stressed the grass becomes. Stress can cause many issues, such as disease and unhealthy turf. Therefore, superintendents regularly aerify, verticut, and topdress to relieve stress. The more mowing and rolling( also known as stress), the more a superintendent needs to alleviate that stress, or the grass will die! None of us wants that! So even though golfers may curse aerified greens in spring and fall, remember that every superintendent’ s goal is to have healthy turf so you can enjoy it and sink more birdie putts. With healthier turf comes better conditions— fast, smooth greens— and, most importantly, happy golfers.
Enjoy your day on the course and the smooth greens.
Jacob Rockhold is Director of Agronomy at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Blue Springs. Rockhold is from Chillicothe, MO, where during high school, he worked on the grounds crew at Green Hills Golf Course. While attending Mizzou, he worked at A. L. Golf Course in Columbia, MO. He served his agronomy internship in New Jersey at Baltusrol Golf Club in 2012. He then became an assistant superintendent at Shadow Glen Golf Club for two years after graduation. In 2015, Rockhold accepted the position as superintendent at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Blue Springs. In 2019, he became the Golf Course Superintendent at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate. In late 2023, Rockhold returned home to Stone Canyon Golf Club.
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