Champion Bermudagrass

Champion is an ultradwarf bermudagrass that thrives in warm climates and may go dormant or suffer damage during freezing winter months. It was originally discovered in Texas back in 1991, making it best suited for southern transition zones. Because of its dense leaf canopy, it is highly susceptible to winterkill if planted in regions with harsh, prolonged freezes.

This specific grass is primarily cultivated for its exceptional putting green quality, making it a favorite for golf course superintendents rather than typical homeowners. The dense leaf canopy creates an incredibly smooth surface that allows a golf ball to roll true. Most homeowners opt for other bermuda varieties, like Tifway 419, which are better suited for high foot traffic and general lawn use.

Champion Bermudagrass is specifically bred to tolerate extremely low mowing heights, often kept under 0.125 inches on golf course putting greens. Mowing it at normal residential lawn heights will cause the canopy to become puffy and lose its preferred characteristics. Therefore, it requires specialized, expensive reel mowers rather than standard rotary mowers to maintain its integrity.

Because it is an ultradwarf cultivar used heavily in the golf industry, Champion requires frequent and precise irrigation to maintain its dense canopy. Overwatering can quickly lead to turf diseases, while underwatering will compromise the smoothness of the playing surface. Golf courses usually manage this through advanced, computer-controlled irrigation systems.