Here's an Florida Regional update from the USGA

The 2012 Winter Season - So Far, Not Too Bad

By John H. Foy, director, Florida Region
January 20, 2012

(L) Peak winter season play and recent frost is having an impact on roughs and other areas of South Florida golf courses. (R) At courses where firm and dry conditions are desired, spot watering is necessary to prevent the onset of drought stress.

The winter golf season in Florida is now in full swing. Unlike 2010 and 2011, enjoyable mild to warm temperatures have kept golfers on the course. However, rounds continue to be down and some clubs are still struggling to achieve desired membership levels.

Until the second week in January when a cold front came through and frost was experienced, bermudagrass remained green and continued to grow a little. This growth helped mitigate the impact of winter season traffic and wear. Now, at all courses, roughs have gone off-color, and, especially in locations where concentrated cart traffic occurs, the turf has literally been beaten down. It will be six to eight weeks before sustained, active bermudagrass growth resumes in Central to South Florida so it is essential to intensively manage cart traffic to limit the damage as much as possible. For more on this topic, read Todd Lowe’s November 16, 2011 regional update, Dealing with Cart Traffic.

The front page headline “Drought’s Return May be Imminent” in the Tuesday, January 17^thPalm Beach Post

If we do go through a period of very limited or no rainfall, an initial concern will be a progressive buildup of salt in the upper rootzone of putting greens. This is true even at courses with good quality irrigation water sources. It is not too early to begin checking for salt buildup with an EC meter to determine if and when initiation of flushing irrigation cycles and other measures need to be undertaken.

Through fairway and rough areas, limited rainfall, in combination with low humidity and windy conditions, has resulted in localized dry spots at many courses. Where firm and dry playing conditions are desired, the golfers are starting to accept a little bit more off-color turf, however in another month or two when temperatures begin to increase, the rapid onset of drought stress will be much more of a management concern, and spot watering of large areas a less practical proposition.

At a later time, a regional update on drought management strategies and options will be posted if this becomes more of a concern. Hopefully, this is not the case, but, as always, the Green Section regional agronomists are available to be of assistance.