In-Season Turfgrass Maintenance: Mowing Height Preferences

Notre Dame's Tall Turfgrass

Aside from the common mowing height and frequency guidance discussed on this site, in-season mowing height can also vary based on the preferences of coaches and players. For example, a baseball field may be cut slightly higher if a pitching staff has a solid ground ball fly ball ratio and the taller turf will give the infield a better ability to make plays on the greater number of infield grounders.

USC vs. Notre Dame 2005

Grass Debate Continues: USC vs. Notre Dame 2005 (Photo by Icon Sports Media)

Perhaps the most recent well-known example of turf mowing height preferences is the epic 2005 USC v. Notre Dame college football showdown in South Bend where the stadium's then Kentucky blue grass playing surface (now it’s turf! say it ain’t so!) was reportedly mowed at an insane ankle-deep 4 inch height, ostensibly as an effort to slow down USC's overall team speed led by the (ex)Heisman winner Reggie Bush. Not even the tall turfgrass could slow down the offenses that day, however, as both teams combined for almost 900 yards of total offense. Regardless, the subject of the turfgrass height that day at Notre Dame on that day lives on.

Contact TMC

Would you like help improving your sports fields? Call the TMC office at 1-800-292-1214. We are in the business of putting together solutions for sports fields all over Texas!