USGA Green Section Podcast

Green Section director of agronomy Chris Hartwiger joined us to discuss best practices for collecting putting green data like speed, soil moisture, clipping yield, organic matter and more.

With Merion Golf Club hosting the 2026 U.S. Amateur, director of grounds Paul B. Latshaw joins us to talk championship prep, leadership, his father’s legacy, and much more.

What does it take to prepare Royal Birkdale for The Open Championship? Course manager Sean McLean and agronomist Adam Newton from The R&A joined our podcast to discuss the nuances of maintaining a links course, the ins and outs of revetted bunkers, the ecological benefits of the native dunes around Royal Birkdale, how data collection informs course setup, and much more.

How often should you soil test? What’s the best way to interpret results? Should testing alone guide fertilizer decisions? Dr. Doug Soldat answers these and many other important questions.

With the 2026 U.S. Open just a few weeks away, Shinnecock Hills superintendent Jon Jennings joins our podcast to talk about maintaining one of the most iconic venues in golf. From managing Poa annua greens in a windy environment to the vast native areas and dramatic bunkers, Jon shares what it takes to produce exceptional playing conditions on a truly unique property. We also talked about the planning and teamwork required to host the U.S. Open, what it’s like working in an area where you are surrounded by great golf courses, and his upcoming retirement after more than 40 years working in golf course maintenance. It’s a packed episode!

Our new podcast features a conversation with Hazeltine National superintendent Chris Tritabaugh, who joins us to discuss how his approach to golf course maintenance has evolved over time – including his approach to organic matter testing, sand topdressing and fairway irrigation. We also explore the key priorities that guide his day-to-day decision-making, get his thoughts on building a strong team culture and advice for early-career superintendents. From pursuing excellence over perfection to prepping for a busy championship schedule at Hazeltine, it’s a great conversation.

In our latest podcast, Kenton Brunson, director of agronomy at the legendary Mid Ocean Club, joins us to talk about managing bermudagrass in Bermuda and the challenges that come with maintaining a golf course on a small island in the Atlantic. We also cover his experiments with creeping bentgrass greens, upcoming renovations at the course, the strong business mindset he brings to the maintenance department, thoughts on leadership, and much more.

Preparing grass playing surfaces for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken years of planning, research and coordination across multiple countries and venues. In our latest podcast, we chat with Dr. John Sorochan from the University of Tennessee about all the work behind developing, growing and installing 16 stadium pitches and dozens of training fields across the United States, Canada and Mexico. From grass selection and reinforced fiber systems to sod production and stadium installation, this unprecedented project is not only fascinating, it offers valuable lessons for golf course management.

In our new episode, the incomparable John Reilly joins us to talk about data collection, social media, his secrets for maintaining smooth and true greens, and much more!

Warm-season winter injury is a challenge for courses across the transition zone. In this episode, Dr. Mike Richardson explains why it happens, how to prevent it and tips for recovery.

In our new episode, Pat Jones, a leading voice in the turf industry for 40 years and a staunch advocate for superintendents, discusses the key issues shaping golf course maintenance today.

Shane Pokorney, CTEM, is Dallas National’s equipment manager and joins us to talk fleet management, staff training, fabrication, the superintendent-mechanic dynamic and more!

UNC Tar Heels football is going back to its roots – literally. In this episode, assistant AD of facilities and turf management, Casey Carrick, joins us to break down the switch from artificial turf to bermudagrass at Kenan Stadium, including the agronomic and performance considerations behind the decision.

The golfing world will get an inside look at one of the cathedrals of the game as Cypress Point Club hosts the 50th Walker Cup next month. Superintendent Jeff Markow joins us in this special episode to discuss course prep, agronomy, history and what he’s learned over three decades at one of golf’s most spectacular courses.

For a fortnight each summer, the sporting world turns its eyes to Wimbledon, where the impeccably maintained grass tennis courts have taken center stage at The Championships since 1877. In this special episode, Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, offers a behind-the-scenes look at maintaining the club’s 90 grass courts. We also discuss their extensive turfgrass research program, the similarities and differences with golf course maintenance, innovative techniques like steam sterilization developed by Neil and his team, and so much more!

AI is showing up everywhere – including on the golf course. In our latest podcast, Dr. Roch Gaussoin explains the basics of AI, how it can help superintendents, and what the future may hold.

Oakmont’s iconic bunkers and greens will take center stage at next week’s U.S. Open. Superintendent Michael McCormick joins us to discuss their history, maintenance and recent restoration.

In our new podcast, we’re joined by superintendent Chris Tritabaugh from Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. He talks about how comparing actual turf growth with expected growth using “Turf GvX” can help superintendents at any type of golf course optimize their putting green management to deliver the best possible playing conditions on a consistent basis.

What does a century of Green Section research look like? Two of the brightest minds in turf reflect on their journeys directing the USGA’s turf and environmental research program and share how superintendents can put all that research into practice.

Tanner Coffman is the man behind the turf and tech at TGL, the new simulator golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods. In this episode, he covers the maintenance of both the real and artificial turf as well as all the technology it takes to make it happen.