Let’s Roll out of Winter. 

MTF Research Supported Timely Update:

Thomas A Nikolai PhD, 
The Doctor of Green Speed and King of Customer Satisfaction 
& Eric Galbraith Research Technician Extraordinaire 

February 12, 2024 Research Technician Eric Galbraith initiated a daily double rolling putting green study at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center.  My request was simple, everyday there is no snow on the plots please double roll them and periodically take green speed measurements. 

IMAGE 1. Eric Galbraith is taking green speed measurement March 12, 2024.  At this point it is easy to distinguish the daily double rolled plots from the non-rolled plots. 

Early in the experiment we thought we might have been putting too much stress on by double rolling to early in the year but as time went on, we were proven wrong (see image 2 below) as the double rolled plots looked healthier compared to non-rolled plots. 

IMAGE 2.  Double rolled plots have the number 1 below them will non-rolled plots have the number 1 beneath them.  As the plots came out of dormancy the double rolled plots quickly displayed a darker green color.  

During 2024 we found the double rolled plots had less disease, held more water as measured with a TDR, had lower surface temperatures.  November 22, 2024 Eric inoculated a 1 foot square area on each plot with snow mold (see image 3).  

IMAGE 3 Plots were inoculated with snow mold on November 22, 2024.  After plots were inoculated the double rolled plots were NOT rolled for 14 days to allow the inoculum to settle below the turfgrass canopy.

By December 27, 2024, there were visual differences in the snow mold inoculum.  What does this mean? Well let’s say we are not certain as of yet (see image 4) but the visuals are interesting. 

IMAGE 4  The snow mold inoculum on double rolled vs non-rolled plots certainly appear different.  What does that mean in terms of disease impact, time will tell 

On March 14, 2025 Mike Rabe took the first green speed measurement of this year.  His measurement resulted in a green speed increase of 4 and ½ on the double rolled plots vs the non-rolled plots.  We call that “customer satisfaction in the shoulder seasons”.  All done, so far, with nothing but positives in the regular season as well.