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How can a footprint be a killer?
When it's a footprint made on a putting surface that's covered with frost. It's hard to believe that simply walking across a golf green covered with frost can cause so much damage, but the proof will be there in a few days as the turfgrass dies and leaves a trail of brown footprints. That's why most courses will delay starting times until the frost has melted. And it's also why golfers who appreciate a quality putting surface will be patient during frost delays.

Why does frost cause problems?
Greens are fragile. The putting surface, or green, is an extremely fragile environment that must be managed carefully and professionally. Remember that every green is a collection of millions of individual grass plants, each of which is a delicate living thing. Obviously, Mother Nature never meant for these plants to be maintained at 3/16 or even 1/8 of an inch for prolonged periods. This stress makes greens constantly vulnerable to attacks from insects, disease, heat, drought, cold -- and frost.

Golf course superintendents will delay the start of play when frost covers the playing surface. Frost is actually frozen dew. Frost can form when the temperature (or wind chill) is near or below the freezing point. Because a grass blade is mostly water, it freezes as well when frost is present, making it very brittle. By walking on frost covered grass, the leaf blades break and cells rupture. The result is that the grass turns brown and eventually dies, making it susceptible to disease and weed infestation. It's not much different than cracking an egg. Once the shell is broken, you can't put it back together. Golf course superintendents do not like frost delays any more than golfers because the frost prevents them from undertaking maintenance activities.

The proof is in the prints
Although you won't see any immediate damage if you walk on frosted turf, the proof will emerge within 48 to 72 hours as the leaves die and turn brown. And, since just one foursome can leave several hundred footprints on each green, the damage can be very extensive.

Thanks for understanding
The damage isn't just unsightly -- putting quality will also be reduced until repairs are made. Those repairs are expensive and, in some cases, the green may have to be kept out of play for days or weeks until the new turfgrass is established. A short delay while the frost melts can preserve the quality of the greens, prevent needless repairs and may even save you a few strokes the next time you play.

For more information about frost delays, click here.

Even though there appears to be no frost at the clubhouse, other areas around the course may have enough frost to cause a delay.  Sometimes frost can remain well into the 40 degree range. We can sometimes melt off the frost on greens with irrigation water if the temperatures are well above freezing otherwise it will make ice. This practice is only done so that greens mowers can get out ahead of golfers and  is impractical on fairways.