The Hidden Golf Course Legacy: Why Home Lawns in Lincoln Hills & Hampton Heights Struggle with Invasive Grasses

February 12th, 2025 By: Nate Alleman

If you live in Lincoln Hills, Hampton Heights, or nearby neighborhoods in Western PA, you may have noticed that maintaining a uniform, healthy lawn is more challenging than in other areas. The reason? A hidden legacy beneath your feet—these communities were built on former golf courses, where grasses like Poa trivialis (Rough Bluegrass), Poa annua (Annual Bluegrass), and Bentgrass were once intentionally cultivated.

While these species thrived on meticulously maintained fairways and greens, they create major headaches for homeowners today. Their aggressive growth leads to patchy turf, inconsistent color, and ongoing battles to maintain a smooth, uniform lawn.

The Problematic Grasses in Former Golf Course Communities

1. Poa trivialis (Rough Bluegrass)

✅ Why It’s a Problem: This fine-textured, light-green grass loves wet, shady conditions but turns brown in hot, dry weather. It spreads aggressively through stolons (above-ground runners) and often appears as bright green patches in the spring before declining in summer.

✅ Why It’s in Your Lawn: Originally chosen for its ability to tolerate low mowing heights on golf courses, Poa trivialis becomes invasive and unsightly in residential lawns.

2. Poa annua (Annual Bluegrass)

✅ Why It’s a Problem: This bright green, fast-growing grass produces seed heads even when mowed low. While some biotypes die off in the summer, others have adapted to survive, making control difficult.

✅ Why It’s in Your Lawn: Poa annua was a natural component of golf course fairways and greens. Even prestigious courses like Oakmont Country Club rely on Poa annua for putting surfaces—great for golf, but a nuisance for home lawns.

3. Bentgrass

✅ Why It’s a Problem: Bentgrass forms dense, thatchy patches that turn brown in summer heat. It spreads aggressively through stolons, choking out desirable turf and creating an uneven lawn. Poa trivialis and Bentgrass often resemble each other, making identification tricky.

✅ Why It’s in Your Lawn: Originally seeded on greens and fairways for its ultra-low mowing tolerance, Bentgrass thrives in moist, poorly drained areas, making it a persistent challenge in home lawns.

Why Lincoln Hills & Hampton Heights Are More Affected

Since these neighborhoods were once golf courses, their soil, drainage, and seed banks still contain remnants of golf course grasses. Even decades after development, dormant seeds continue to germinate, making it difficult to maintain a uniform lawn.

Compacted soil and poor drainage—common in these areas—also create ideal conditions for Poa trivialis and Poa annua, which thrive in consistently damp environments.

How to Combat and Eradicate Invasive Grasses

Since these grasses are deeply embedded in the soil and environment, effective control requires a combination of cultural, chemical, and renovation strategies.

1. Cultural Practices for Prevention

✅ Mow High: Keep your mowing height at 3-4 inches to shade out Poa annua and Bentgrass.
✅ Improve Drainage: Reduce overwatering and increase airflow to discourage Poa trivialis, which thrives in moisture.
✅ Modify Irrigation: Water deeply but infrequently—daily watering encourages invasive grasses.
✅ Use the Right Grass Seed: Tall fescue is the best option due to its dense growth and ability to outcompete invasive species. Other good choices include Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, though tall fescue offers superior suppression.

2. Chemical Control Strategies

For Poa annua (Annual Bluegrass):

✅ Apply pre-emergent herbicides in late summer to early fall to prevent seed germination.
✅ Use ethofumesate-based herbicides (Poa Constrictor, Prograss) for post-emergent control—best applied in late fall when cooler temperatures weaken Poa annua.

For Poa trivialis & Bentgrass:

✅ Non-Selective Control Options:

• Glyphosate (Roundup) or Cheatapro (non-glyphosate alternative) – Expect 2-3 applications (every 7-14 days) for full eradication.

• Spot treatment is necessary, as regrowth is common.

✅ Selective Herbicide Options:

• Tenacity (mesotrione): Plant-based and considered a safer option, suppressing Poa annua and Bentgrass during renovations.

• Anuew Growth Regulator: Helps slow Poa annua growth, making it easier to manage.

• Velocity Herbicide: Previously used for golf courses, this product is promising for selectively eliminating Poa annua and Bentgrass.

• PoaCure (Methiozolin): A new pre- and post-emergent product with a gentle, slow approach to controlling Poa annua—currently not labeled for home lawns but may be available soon.

3. Lawn Renovation for Severe Infestations

If more than 30% of your lawn is overrun with invasive grasses, a full renovation may be the best solution:

1️⃣ Apply a non-selective herbicide (Roundup or Cheatapro) in 2-3 applications (7-14 days apart) for complete kill-off.
2️⃣ Aerate and/or slit-seed with desirable turfgrass—Tall fescue is the top recommendation.
3️⃣ Avoid bringing in new topsoil, as it often contains weed seeds.
4️⃣ Use Tenacity (mesotrione) at seeding to prevent Poa annua and Bentgrass from returning.
5️⃣ Continue applying Tenacity or Velocity in the following years to suppress regrowth.
6️⃣ Apply pre-emergent herbicides in future seasons to prevent new Poa annua outbreaks.

Final Thoughts: Taking Back Your Lawn

If you live in Lincoln Hills, Hampton Heights, or surrounding areas, dealing with Poa trivialis, Poa annua, and Bentgrass is a unique challenge due to the golf course history of these neighborhoods. However, with the right lawn care practices, proper seeding, and strategic weed control, you can restore your lawn to a thick, uniform, and beautiful turf.

At Barefoot Lawn, we specialize in organic-based solutions and customized lawn care programs to combat invasive grasses. If you’re struggling with unwanted turfgrass, we’re here to help!