Let’s face it. Nothings worse than showing up for a round only to hear there’s a 2 hour frost delay. You can’t practice in most cases and have to awkwardly wait in the clubhouse until it passes.
What’s the big deal anyways with frost?? What’s the worst that can happen??
These are two great questions that will be answered here. If, like me, you have quarelled with the purpose of frost delays, you have come to the right place. Here you will get an overview on:
- The importance of a frost delay
- How frost actually forms
- The damaging affects of frost on a golf course
Why Can’t i walk on frosted grass
Frost delays occur when ice crystals form on blades of grass. Often a crunchy noise and white color are signs of frost formation. Frost weakens the plant cell’s barriers making it more susceptible to irreversible damage. The bonds between plant cells weaken and any disruption (such as a footstep) could cause cells, and eventually the entire blade of grass, to die.
Most of the time, walking on frosted grass leads to dead plant cells. For the golfer, this leads to brown putting surfaces, bumpy greens, and overall worse playing conditions. Often, effects are seen 24-72 hours after the damage. So while it may not be immediate, the course will definitely suffer.
It takes the grass atleast a month to recover if plant cells die. This is why superintendents and golf professionals are very strict with frost delays.
How frost forms
While understanding the science behind frost may not improve your golf game, it can increase your golf IQ and you may even find it interesting.
First off, a clear sky is required for frost formation to happen. This is because clouds provide insulation, keeping warmer air nearer to the ground throughout the night. During a clear night, warmer air leaves the ground and rises (hot air rises) and is not blocked by any clouds.
The escaping warm air in turn significantly cools the ground temperature. If enough warm air escapes, there will be a layer of freezing air which creates ice crystals on the grass. The freezing air crystalizes the ground’s moisture turning it to ice crystals which form on the grass.
Conclusion
While frost delays are very frustrating, it’s important to know their relevance to course conditions and understand that they are crucial to healthy grass.
Before researching for this post, I never really grasped the severity of frost. I mean… as golfers, we play in snowy, rainy, breezy, and windy conditions. In comparison, frost seems so innocent. What can frost do that could be worse than a 40 degree windy and rainy day?
Understanding you are doing your part for the course during frost delays is key. Who knows, the Golf Gods may even give you a few good breaks.
If you are currently waiting to play, check out my post on tips to play winter golf!
