• Grass varieties for putting greens vary depending on climate conditions.golf image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Professional greenskeepers as well as golf enthusiasts maintaining backyard putting greens use a variety of grass types--depending on climate, sunlight conditions and soil conditions. Putting greens require special preparation for growth and maintenance, to ensure proper propagation and upkeep. Bentgrass and Bermuda grass represent the most widely used grasses for putting greens, with St. Augustine, zoysia and ryegrass varieties used in certain growing conditions.
  
  

Bentgrass

• Greenskeepers use bentgrass seed as a mixture with Bermuda seed or by itself. Often used in climates with cold winter conditions, it requires a soil mixture of organic materials and sand for proper propagation. Fall planting provides a longer growing cycle, while seed planted in the spring will not have adequate growing time for use in summertime conditions. The finely textured quality of Bentgrass requires special maintenance for use in putting greens. It requires fertilization during the early growing cycle, along with continued use of fertilizers after maturity. Considered a high-maintenance grass for greens, bentgrass requires close monitoring in order to provide proper mowing, watering and pest control, particularly during summer months when climate conditions are more extreme.
  
  

Bermuda Grass

• Bermuda grass requires a moderate amount of maintenance, and is used by greenskeepers for putting greens and around trees. The grass works best in warm climates and can grow well in dry locations. Used for putting greens in Africa, India, Australia, South America and the southern states in the U.S., grasses commonly used come from hybrid varieties. Common varieties propagate most successfully when started using sod or sprigs. Nitrogen fertilizers are used to prepare the soil for planting, which can occur during fall, spring or summer. Mowing is recommended within weeks of new growth to help Bermuda grass spread, with the application of herbicides after three to four weeks from the planting date. Watering recommendations for Bermuda grass vary, depending on the climate.
  
  

St. Augustine Grass

• Golf courses located in climates with hot, humid summers can use St. Augustine grass in shady areas and on putting greens. It provides a coarser texture than other common putting green grasses, but offers a moderate level of care. Greenskeepers opt for sprigs, plugs and sod to start St. Augustine grass greens, but do not use seed.
  
  

Zoysia Grass

• The fine to medium texture of zoysia grass can grow in cool or warm climates. Used for fairways, greens and tees, zoysia grass can adapt to a variety of climates, but is more expensive than other types of putting grasses and requires more maintenance.
  
  

Ryegrass

• Offering a medium type of texture, perennial ryegrass is used to create roughs, greens and fairways on golf courses, as well as tennis courts. Perennial ryegrass grows in cool climates, while annual varieties can be mixed with other types of grass seed for warmer locations. Both varieties of ryegrass provide a low-maintenance turf, with the annual variety offering a finer type of texture than the perennial variety.