Shade influences performance and growth of various turfgrasses. Daily light integral (DLI-mol m^-2 d^-1) is the measure of light energy received during the course of a 24-hour day by a plant surface (Faust, 2004), and is one approach to understanding how much light energy is required to support high quality managed turfgrass. In this work we examined the effects of three low DLI levels (10, 8, and 4-mol m^-2 d^-1) within a greenhouse environment on the performance of chewings fescue, (Festuca rubra v. commutata ‘SR5100'), creeping red fescue, (Festuca rubra v. rubra ‘Dawson'), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis ‘Cynthia'). The effect of DLI on photosynthesis of the turfgrasses was measured using light response curves (LRC) to assess the ability of a turf to utilize different light energy levels as it acclimated to the three treatment levels. The LRC defined maximum assimilation (Amax, mmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1) and light compensation oint (LCP, µmol m^-2 s^-1). These indices can be used to indicate the plant's ability to adapt to low light energy (Beard, 1973). Over time each turfgrass species had different physiological and metabolic responses to the limited DLI treatments, which influenced their ability to acclimate to shade. However, a general trend observed indicated turfgrasses grown under 10 and 8-mol m^-2 d^-1 had higher photosynthetic rates and were able to maintain Amax and LCP as DLI increased compared to the same species grown at 4-mol m^-2 d^-1. Also, Amax and LCP decreased when turfgrasses were grown under light energy that decreased from 10 to 4-mol m^-2 d^-1. This suggests that none of these turfgrasses could fully acclimate to the low light of 4-mol m^-2 d^-1. Further, the ability of a turfgrass to adjust its photosynthetic system to compensate for low light energy above 4-mol m^-2 d^-1 could determine its survival in shade.