The Grass Gap: Why Turfgrass Innovation Isn't Reaching More Lawns and Fields

Recent turfgrass field days at UMass and Rutgers showcased just how far grass breeding has come. Researchers, graduate students, and technicians are developing new varieties that outperform older grasses in drought resistance, disease tolerance, shade adaptation, and durability.

In trials, modern cultivars like 007, 777, and 007XL demonstrated striking improvements over long-standing standards such as Penncross - requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticide while delivering better playing conditions. Yet, many golf courses, athletic fields, and facilities still rely on outdated varieties.

Why the Lag?

One major obstacle is disruption. As Cornell's Golf and Sports Turf Manager Chris Sitko points out, "Members paying thousands of dollars aren't going to like it when you tell them they can't play golf for two months."

However, examples like Corning Country Club show that staggered re-grassing - renovating a few fairways at a time - can keep most of a course or field system operational. This approach saved the club about $20,000 annually in maintenance costs while improving turf quality.

A Cultural Shift in Turf Management

The gap between research and practice often comes down to deferred maintenance and short-term budget thinking. Renovation is seen as an optional luxury instead of a planned investment. Decision-makers - whether boards, owners, or committees - may not view turf renovation as part of a facility's lifecycle.

Reframing the Conversation

Extension experts suggest that re-grassing should be treated like any other recurring capital improvement, with a predictable schedule and budget. For sports fields, this could mean rotating field renovations one per year. For golf courses, staggered work can balance play access with upgrades.

The question for facility managers isn't just "Can we afford to re-grass- - it's "Can we afford not to- As turf science advances, failing to adopt new, efficient varieties means wasting water, chemicals, and labor while delivering lower-quality playing surfaces.

This article summarizes reporting originally published by turf.cals.cornell.edu