A recent study conducted at Michigan State University provided a scientific look at what could be the most effective methods for melting ice on golf course putting greens.The study showed that dark colored, light-absorbing products were more effective at raising surface ice temperature and melting ice on golf course putting greens compared to standard chemicals and ice-melt products.
The study was conducted Jan. 31 by researchers from Michigan State and the University of Minnesota at MSU's Hancock Turfgrass Research Center in East Lansing, Mich.
Researchers studied the ice-melting capabilities of 20 products in three categories: standard chemicals/salts (applied at 28 pounds/1,000 sf); ice melt products (applied at 28 pounds/1,000 sf) and solar-absorption products.
Surface ice temperatures were about 25 to 26 degrees Fahrenheit during the study. All products were applied to a test plot under 2 inches of ice cover under somewhat cloudy conditions. Within an hour of application, many of the dark colored, light-absorbing products had raised surface ice temperature to 35 to 37 degrees with visible melt.
The following treatments produced the most visible melt: Milorganite (greens grade, 56 pounds/1,000 sf), Sustane (greens grade, 40 pounds/1,000 sf), Top Cut biosolids SGN 90 (53 pounds/1,000 sf), Eon 75 humic acid (47 pounds/1,000 sf), and black sand (100 pounds/1,000 sf). The standard salts and safer ice melt treatments produced little visible ice melt.
None of the products were able to melt ice through to the surface.
For more information on the threats associated with ice on greens, click here.
Products used in the study
Standard chemicals/salts
Calcium chloride
Sodium chlorida
Potassium chloride
Magnesium chloride
Ice melt products
Calcium magnesium acetate
Sodium acetate
Enviro Melt (carbonyl diamide/urea)
Safe Paws (amide/glycol)
Paw Thaw (CMA and fertilizer)
Ternderfoot Ice Melter (DeFrost and urea)
Ammonium sulfate
Solar absorption products
Milorganite
Sustane
Top Cut biosolids SGN 90
Top Cut SGN 200
Top Cut/DeFrost SGN 200
BioDac/DeFrost SGN 200
BioDac/DeFrost/Colorant SGN 200
Eon 75 humic acid
Black sand