Golfdom • September 2023 • When — and why — superintendents should remove snow

Superintendents’ snow removal strategies will vary from one course to the next.

As superintendents prepare to remove snow from their greens in the winter, they generally do so for a few reasons, says Kevin Frank, Ph.D., professor and turf extension specialist in the Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University.

A superintendent could remove snow before it melts to prevent ice formation, or they may remove it to expose and eliminate underlying ice layers.

Superintendents in mountain regions may remove snow to uncover their greens if they believe they’re susceptible to snow mold. They may even attempt to hasten the melting process, potentially leading to a prolonged golf season.

“Such snow removal strategies are especially necessary on Poa annua greens, as they have much shorter time frames for survival under ice, in comparison to creeping bentgrass,” Frank stresses.

Paul Koch, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, agrees, adding that superintendents should also remove snow from their greens if ice forms underneath it at the turf surface. He adds that superintendents should remove snow if its depth is considerable, which leads to a long melting process — two common issues in the Midwest, Mountain West and Northeast.

“The goal is to minimize turf’s injury from ice, along with damage from snow mold,” Koch says. “Snow cover at a moderate depth (6 inches to a few feet) is very good for turf, as moisture will remain and greens won’t dry out or have exposure to cold temperatures. However, if snow cover is extremely deep or it protects ice, turf can die, resulting in its necessary removal.”

While preparing to remove snow from their greens, superintendents must remember that it’s typically a difficult, expensive and labor-intensive process, which must only occur when it’s absolutely vital.

“It’s really a course-by-course situation,” Frank emphasizes. “Superintendents must consider all conditions and conduct the process as carefully as possible.”

In most cases, superintendents should let nature take its course. Not only is snow removal time-consuming, but it may also damage turf and remove the warm, insulating blanket that snow provides, thereby exposing turf to desiccating winds and low temperatures. Consequently, the risks outweigh the benefits in most situations. However, there are some instances in which snow removal makes sense. For example, on high-elevation courses, some superintendents will remove snow after 3 to 4 months of snow cover and then reapply a second fungicide application to protect turfgrass for the next 2 to 3 months. Other courses may remove snow in early April — when extreme temperatures are no longer a concern — so they’re playable sooner. Lastly, superintendents should remove snow when it covers an impermeable ice layer. Typically, turf can survive underneath ice for 60 to 90 days.

Snow mold fungicide applications are crucial if courses experience persistent snow cover. Typically, superintendents should apply them as close to snow cover as possible, to maximize efficacy. If snow cover occurs before a preventive fungicide application, superintendents should consider removing snow so that they can make any necessary protective snow mold applications. Additionally, superintendents should remove snow if ice accumulates underneath it, as anoxia — due to increasing carbon dioxide levels, often a direct result of soil microbial activity — may damage Poa annua greens, which generally have a higher concentration of native soil. Therefore, superintendents, who manage Poa greens, should constantly check for ice accumulation and remove it. Aggressive ice removal strategies should begin once the turf has been underneath ice for 30 days. From there, less aggressive strategies can extend to 90 days, if necessary.

In some circumstances, snow cover can be beneficial for turfgrass. Snow acts as an insulating blanket, protecting turf from extreme temperature fluctuations and desiccation during winter. As a result, soil maintains its moisture and turf won’t dry out or become susceptible to winter damage. By removing snow, superintendents can remove the protection that turf — in areas with cold climates and consistent snowfall — needs, thereby exposing it to harsh conditions and potential damage. Superintendents should remove snow in certain situations though, particularly when it becomes excessively heavy or it’s exposed to frequent freeze-thaw incidents, which causes ice to form. Ice formation can lead to compaction and suffocation, resulting in snow mold and other diseases. This is especially true when cool-season turf remains partially active during winter months, and excessive ice cover creates a barrier that restricts sunlight and air circulation.

Superintendents should prioritize removing snow from greens during the spring, as thaw-refreeze events can cause serious winterkill. Snow removal is particularly necessary when surfaces have a mixed stand of Poa annua and creeping bentgrass. In addition, superintendents must ensure they have adequate surface drainage so they can remove standing water as snow melts. To do so, they can remove small strips of sod, which encourages the removal of standing water. Superintendents must also remember that snow cover limits the amount of sunlight that surfaces receive. It’s important to initiate good, healthy growth in the spring for the season ahead. Furthermore, although snow doesn’t typically accumulate to the same degree in the transition zone or below, if superintendents maintain warm-season turf, removal is still important. After all, if turf doesn’t have exposure to sunlight, unhealthy growth may occur.