Concluding part
Cool-season grasses-such as Kentucky bluegrass, bentgrass, ryegrass, and fescue-perform poorly in Bangladesh's climate. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Centipede are better suited for the region's heat and humidity.
Selecting turfgrass for golf courses in Bangladesh requires matching grass species to both climate and course functionality. Among the preferred species, Bermuda grass is widely used. It has excellent heat tolerance and a fine texture, making it suitable for fairways and putting greens. However, its cold tolerance is poor, and it struggles during foggy winter months when sunlight is limited. Bermuda grass needs about six hours of direct sunlight per day, and shade from surrounding trees can hinder its performance.
Despite its limitations, Bermuda grass remains a popular choice due to its quick growth, moderate maintenance needs, and good playability. Hybrid Bermuda varieties developed in the U.S. perform well under low mowing conditions, especially on greens. These hybrids offer fine texture, dense growth, and fast recovery from wear, making them ideal for golf course surfaces.
Zoysia grass is another important turf species in Bangladesh. It tolerates cooler temperatures better than Bermuda and adapts well to stress conditions like drought and shade. Zoysia requires less water, fertilizer, and mowing, making it a sustainable option. Its dense growth suppresses weeds and reduces erosion, which are significant benefits for long-term maintenance. However, Zoysia does not perform well on putting greens, where its growth habit and texture fail to deliver the smooth, fast surfaces required.
Zoysia is widely used on golf courses across Southeast Asia-in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In Bangladesh, Zoysia performs well on tees and fairways due to its durability and efficiency under local soil and climate conditions. Meanwhile, Bermuda remains the preferred grass for putting greens because of its playability and fine leaf structure, especially when sunlight is adequate and the soil is well-drained.
Though Zoysia grows slowly, once established, it forms a dense turf that supports clean ball lies. Its compact growth habit helps prevent weed intrusion. However, Zoysia's thick and fibrous leaves require sharp mower blades for clean cutting. Many golf clubs in Bangladesh lack proper reel grinding equipment, which leads to dull blades and turf damage, reducing visual and functional quality.
Seashore paspalum is another warm-season grass gaining popularity for coastal golf courses. It has high salt tolerance, moderate shade tolerance, and withstands heavy foot traffic. Its fine leaf texture and low mowing capability make it suitable for fairways, tees, and even greens. This species spreads through stolons, rhizomes, and tillers, forming dense turf. It performs well under saline irrigation or reclaimed water, making it an environmentally sustainable choice. However, its cold tolerance is limited, restricting it to warmer coastal regions.
Bermuda grass, Cowgrass (Axonopuscompressus), and Seashore paspalum are commonly used across golf courses in Bangladesh. Kurmitola Golf Club uses Bermuda throughout its layout. Newer courses like Jolshiri Golf Club and Air Force Golf Links have also adopted Bermuda as their primary turfgrass. All courses in the country consistently use Bermuda grass on putting greens due to its superior ball roll characteristics and ability to recover from wear. Still, Bermuda faces challenges during heavy rainfall, prolonged shade, and cooler temperatures, which increase disease risks and reduce turf quality.
Considering Bangladesh's high temperatures, seasonal humidity, and variable sunlight, warm-season grasses offer the best solutions for sustainable turf management. A blended strategy using multiple grass species tailored to specific course areas can enhance resilience. Bermuda grass is best suited for putting greens due to its texture and recovery speed. Zoysia is ideal for fairways and tees because of its low input requirements and durability. Seashore paspalum is especially beneficial for coastal courses where salt exposure and water quality are concerns. Its versatility allows it to be used across all zones of a course.
Turfgrass establishment methods include seeding and vegetative planting. While seeding is common for lawns, it is not recommended for professional golf courses, where current seed varieties cannot meet the fine-textured, low-height standards needed. Until Bangladesh develops its own regionally adapted cultivars through targeted breeding and climate-specific research, a strategic combination of Bermuda, Zoysia, and Seashore paspalum remains the most viable, climate-smart solution for golf course turf management.
Continued investment in turfgrass science and equipment-such as mower blade sharpening tools and soil diagnostics-will be essential. By focusing on climate resilience, aesthetic quality, and functional durability, Bangladesh can develop world-class golf courses that thrive despite the mounting pressures of a warming climate.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Zahangeer Alam, Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), Golfer& Turf Specialist, Executive Committee Member, BOF Golf Club, Gazipur Cantonment, Member, Air Force Golf Link (AFGL), Kurmitola, Brigadier General Salim Akhtar (Retired), Golf Course Consultant, Former Executive, Committee Member, Kurmitola Golf Club (KGC), Former Member, Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF)
