Long coarse grass (weed?) in lawn.

I need some advise please. Grass in back garden is looking nice and lush but I have a huge number of long coarse spikes coming through all over the place. If the lawn grows 1" they grow about 6" and some of them lie flat on the grass. Lawnmower doesn't cut them, it just rolls over the top of them. I have started pulling them out by the roots but it is a monumental task as there are so many of them. Any ideas on an easier method.
Thanks.

 

Hi Raymond

Are you sure it's a grass? Check out this thread, just in case it's the dreaded horsestail http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/help-identifying-weed-and-advice-killing-please-t22293.html

Assuming it is a grass, however, your best bet is to keep the lawn mown short (but not too short in hot dry weather) to stop it seeding and to dig out the worst clumps by hand. Selective weedkillers won't usually touch them and total weedkillers are tricky to apply to them.