Fescue Varieties for Roughs

Tall Fescue Study

• A 2009-10 study by the Chicago District Golf Association evaluated tall fescue performance for both roughs and lawns. Tall fescue, drought, shade and heat-tolerant, is also resistant to so-called "dollar spot" disease, or Sclerotinia homoeoecarpa. However, it can suffer from brown patch, or Rhizoctonia solani. Researchers planted 58 different varieties of tall fescue in May 2009, and seedlings were evaluated the following spring. Results show that for vigor, the best tall fescue varieties include SouthEast, Bulldog 51, Kentucky-31 and Jaguar 3. For coverage, coarse varieties were more efficient, such as Quest, Coronado, Grande II and Innovator. Top types for color went to experimental varieties.

Red Fescue

• This hardy, low-maintenance variety requires less mowing while remaining even. It has the ability to spread and regrow after prolonged dry spells.

Hard Fescue

• Recommended for covering large areas, drought-tolerant hard fescue has blue tones, not unlike Kentucky bluegrass.

Defiance XRE

• This tall fescue type mixes Grande II, Regiment II and Guardian 21 varieties, with mixtures subject to change due to availability. Brown-patch resistant, Defiance XRE stays dark green and features deep roots for less irrigation. Environmentally friendly, it requires little in the way of herbicides or pesticides. Stress recovery is superior to other tall fescues, as is wear-resistance..

Fine Fescues

• Although not used in roughs as often as other fescue types, fine fescues may be appropriate for those with little golf cart traffic. According to Michigan State University, recently developed varieties of fine fescue boast disease and insect resistance, along with drought and shade-tolerance. Growing conditions for fine fescue in the United States favor the Northeast and Northwest areas, where humidity levels are relatively low.