The greens are firm, fast, and not as receptive as some would like. People may feel this firmness and receptiveness comes from rolling, I can confidently say that there is so many numerous university research studies out there showing that rolling does not compact a green or firm it up. A lightweight roller merely smoothes out the surface. It does add speed to the greens, and that is the downside this time of the year, but I feel the smoothness that we get is worth the speed. Hence why I only roll once a week.
The reason for the firmness and receptiveness is the lack of growth, traffic on the dormant turf all winter, and compacted conditions from winter play. Right now each turf plant is very thin and "spindly". Once the turf starts to actively grow, we will see the leaf tissue absorb water and nutrients, causing it to expand and grow, giving the greens and fairways a more full appearance. Then the greens will have a softer and lush feel, not be as fast, and be more receptive to golf shots. It is just this time of the year when things are so beat down, extremely thin, and fine leaf tissue. As apposed to our growing season when we have more succulent and a fuller turf canopy.
It is one of the challenges with different seasons, and exciting times when we try to produce consistent putting conditions even though the turf plants present a variety of conditions and variables to us.
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