Smarter care for the course. Smarter care for yourself.

This episode looks at golf from two perspectives—the superintendent and the golfer. For superintendents, Carl Schimenti shares why site-specific care is the next frontier in course management. For golfers, he reminds us that the game isn’t just about scorecards—it’s also about appreciating the natural, urban green spaces that surround us.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Think your turf field is game-ready? The real test goes beneath the surface.

In this episode, we explore what athletic programs should be testing annually to ensure the longevity of synthetic turf fields and protect athlete safety. From infill depth to traction and concussion risks, routine testing matters.

Our guest is Dr. John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He shares best practices for synthetic turf maintenance, how infill migration affects performance, and the role of rotational testing in reducing injury risks.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What do elite soccer coaches and players want from natural turfgrass? In this “Christmas in July” episode, we explore how turf performance affects player movement, even in the snow. Carl Schimenti breaks down a winter match at Cornell to reveal how coaches assess playability, from trueness of roll and vertical bounce to moisture and ball control. Learn how real-time turf conditions shape game strategy, and how researchers are measuring what matters to players on the field.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

Retired golf course superintendent Rick Slattery, formerly of Locust Hill, discusses his spring approach to promoting creeping bentgrass growth over Poa annua. He explains how holding off on spring irrigation helps weaken Poa, and how targeted inputs can manage high-Poa areas like shaded or poorly draining greens. Rick shares how cultural practices and selective spot treatments can reduce Poa pressure, especially as changing climate conditions make maintaining Poa more difficult.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What’s the best mower system for managing excess clippings on turf? Dr. Grady Miller of North Carolina State University joins us to share results from recent mower and tractor testing on sod farms. His research evaluated engine horsepower, blade design, and mulching density to identify which setups deliver the cleanest cut and most effective mulching. Tune in for practical insights valuable to turf managers, grounds crews, and anyone aiming to improve mowing performance.

Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Miller on youtube. 

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

This episode features Dr. Roch Gaussoin from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, along with Frank and Carl, discussing the evolution of topdressing and turf management practices. Topics include the timing of spring aeration to avoid bumpy greens, the potential overuse of sand for organic matter control, and the benefits of shifting toward less aggressive, growth-driven topdressing strategies. The group also explores the development of a standardized method for sampling golf greens, emphasizing appropriate sampling depth and the importance of preserving surface verdure.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

As climate change increases drought, rainfall and unpredictability, managing water use wisely has never been more important. In this episode, we introduce practical tools and strategies to adapt irrigation and infrastructure for water resilience. From irrigation audits and water budgeting to drought planning and understanding evapotranspiration (ET), we dive into how producers and land managers can prepare for water variability. 

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

How does the type of grass you grow impact how often you mow and what happens when you cut it too short? In this episode, we break down the science behind turf management, including how mowing height affects clipping production, why grass type influences mowing frequency, and how following the 1/3 Rule can lead to healthier lawns. Learn how maintaining a slower growth rate can reduce mowing needs and minimize clippings, all while keeping your turf in top condition.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What do we gain—and what do we risk—when we change how we mow? In this episode, we explore the ecosystem services of traditional lawns, bee lawns, and urban meadows, with a special focus on the growing “No Mow May” movement.

Drawing on research from the University of Guelph and others, we dig into the ecological tradeoffs of reduced mowing. While skipping the cut may support pollinators and promote deeper root systems, it can also lead to weakened turf, tougher weed control, and even unexpected consequences—like increased snake habitats.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.

What makes a great playing field—and who gets to decide? In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked world of sports field management with Dr. Chase Straw, Assistant Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M. We explore the unequal access to youth sports facilities, the health benefits of participation, and how data and mapping tools can drive more equitable investment. From the environmental tradeoffs of synthetic turf to the pivotal role field managers can play in facility planning, this conversation unpacks how interdisciplinary research and better decision-making can create greener, fairer play for everyone.

Stay Informed with Cornell Turfgrass: For more insights, research-backed strategies, and the latest turf management updates, visit turf.cals.cornell.edu.

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Cornell Turfgrass on YouTube, Facebook, and X for expert advice, live discussions, and educational content throughout the growing season.