Why manilagrass (Zoysia matrella) is the best choice for links-style golfing surfaces in East and Southeast Asia

Abstract

Manilagrass (Zoysia matrella) is the ideal species for producing links-style golf surfaces in East and Southeast Asia because it is native to the region, thrives under the low-light conditions characteristic of Asian climates, and — crucially — won’t die under minimal maintenance, allowing greenkeepers to restrict growth rate, withhold fertilizer and irrigation, and mow low without damaging the turf. This mirrors the slow-growing fine fescue swards of British links courses and produces the firm, fast, bouncy surfaces that define links-style play. By contrast, bermudagrass and seashore paspalum perform poorly in Asia’s cloudy conditions and require artificially high growth rates to survive, leading to greater organic matter accumulation, softer surfaces, and higher maintenance costs — and numerous courses originally planted to those species have seen manilagrass naturally invade and take over. The article addresses common objections (establishment speed, divot recovery, color, availability) with evidence from nearly 2,000 Japanese courses using manilagrass, research showing its superior divot resistance, and examples from top-ranked Asian courses like Hirono, Tokyo Golf Club, and Kawana, all of which use manilagrass on tees and fairways.