Better grass for high foot traffic area?

Without knowing specifics of your situation (soil type, shade issues?, level of maintenance planned, irrigation, etc.) some type of bermudgrass would definitely be the way to go. Of all of the warm season grasses, bermuda is the most wear tolerant of them all.

The question of which of the two depends on a bit of technicality. While both Celebration and 419 are technically hybrids, Celebration is what’s called an “improved common”, which means it was selected for its characteristics as a better quality turfgrass compared to regular common bermuda, and it is primarily propagated for production via stolons/rhizomes from an established stock versus being seeded. However, because of its genetic makeup, it potentially can be cross pollinated with another variety of bermudagrass and eventually lead to off types in your lawn. Not saying that this WILL happen, but the potential is there.

Tifway 419, on the other hand, is a triploid hybrid which means, basically, it is sterile and cannot produce a viable seed. It does produce a seed head, but the seed are sterile and will not germinate. 419 is vegetatively propagated like Celebration as it is the only way to grow it from bare soil. While it is a sterile hybrid, that’s not to say it hasn’t mutated over the course of the years, and I would feel certain with saying that the 419 of today is not the same as a stand the was propagated 25 years ago.

Having grown both on the golf courses I’ve worked at, they’re both good and bad for the same reasons. Color, aggressiveness, cold hardiness, traffic compaction resistance. I think celebration is a little bit darker green and is a bit more aggressive in recovery. 419 is a bit more cold hardy and wears better and also has a finer leaf texture than celebration.

They’re both good grasses and I would use either of them depending on the situation. Because I’ve used and know what 419 can do/tolerate, my choice would be 419. Either way, if you want it to look nice, plan on fertilizing, watering and mowing frequently…as in a couple of times a week to keep from scalping every time you mow. And keep your mower blades sharp to keep from ripping the grass.

I would say most importantly, have your soil tested to make sure it’s the proper pH and has the available nutrients it needs (CEC).

Just my $0.02 worth. Hope it helps.