The answer really is simple; it’s because they have to. Golf courses aerate their greens for four major reasons, all of which affect turf health. Aeration is usually performed in order to remove organic matter, decompress the soil, improve the drainage of the soil, and help promote root growth.
What should every golfer know about putting green aeration?
Here are five things every golfer should know about aeration: Putting green aeration is never popular, but it is an essential part of providing consistent, high-quality playing conditions. (USGA/George Waters) 1. We aerate to improve, not annoy Putting greens receive more traffic than any other playing surface.
What is green fee and green in regulation?
Green in Regulation – Occurs when the golf ball is on the green and the player is putting for a birdie or better. Green Fee – The cost of playing a round of golf at a certain golf course. Grip – There are a number of different grips golfers use to hold the club. It is mostly a matter of how you learned to play and personal preference.
What is aerification of a golf green?
(It's also called "aerification.") To aerify a golf green a piece of machinery built for the task cores the ground (punches holes and removes the dirt) in a certain pattern. (The small cores of dirt that are removed are called "plugs.")
How do you measure green speeds in golf?
You will often hear golfers refer to green speeds by just stating a single number, such as when somebody says the greens are 'running at a 10'. That means that the greens are running out an average of 10 feet when measured using the Stimpmeter.
Are aerated greens faster?
The holes punched during aeration are smaller and the greens heal more quickly than the old days of course maintenance. Still, there is no denying that recently aerated greens play differently than greens in peak condition. They roll more slowly and the punched holes can knock a putt off line.
How long until aerated greens are playable?
two weeksIt usually takes a golf course two weeks to recovery from properly done golf course aeration. Once the grass grows back through the aeration holes to a healthy level, the mowers and rollers come back, typically with greens as good as new.
How often should golf greens be aerated?
one to three times a yearIt can take up to a couple of weeks for the greens to recover, but these procedures are critical for the long-term health of the greens. This is typically done one to three times a year, depending on the course, the type of greens, and in what part of the country they are located.
How do golf courses aerate greens?
During the playing season, courses usually choose to do venting aeration which is basically placing a bunch of small needles into the ground in order to break up the turf. This process is done throughout the year and is usually does not affect ball roll or playing conditions at all after a couple days.
Is it worth playing on aerated greens?
Putting greens receive more traffic than any other playing surface. The aeration process helps relieve the compaction caused by all that traffic. It also helps create a firm, smooth putting surface by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turf roots.
Why do they put sand on golf greens?
Sand helps cushion leaf tips and crowns and reduces algae. Increased Firmness – Turf produces organic matter in the upper rootzone that creates soft, spongy playing conditions. Regular sand topdressing, along with core aeration, improves surface firmness and resiliency.
What happens if you don't aerate your lawn?
Grasses gradually thin and eventually die out completely, for lack of the oxygen, water and nutrients available just inches away. Even a single aeration session can open the avenue for these essentials to reach their mark and put your lawn back on an upward trend. Core aerators pull small plugs of soil to the surface.
What is the difference between aeration and Aerification?
Aeration (also called aerification or aeriation) is the process by which air is circulated through, mixed with or dissolved in a liquid or other substances that act as a fluid (such as soil). Aeration processes create additional surface area in the mixture, allowing greater chemical or suspension reactions.
How long do golf greens last?
20 yearsA very general rule for the life expectancy of greens is that the construction should last at least 20 years. Over that 20 year period there are likely to be major changes in the golfer's expectations for how the greens should be maintained.
Why do they spike greens?
We spike to alleviate compaction and introduce more air into the soil.
Do golf courses aerate fairways?
0:161:25Why aerate golf course fairways? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's much more difficult for water to infiltrate into the soil. And get to the root zone. ButMoreIt's much more difficult for water to infiltrate into the soil. And get to the root zone. But another great benefit of aeration is just getting oxygen to the roots as.
What does punching the greens mean?
Punching the green (also called "coring" the green) counters the tendency of the soil on putting greens to compact over time and circulates air down into the soil and to the grassroots, helping keep the turfgrass healthy. Punching the greens, therefore, is a maintenance practice at golf courses.
When should you Verticut greens?
“The general rule of thumb is to verticut as often as recovery and improved turf health are noted,” he says. “I do it every 10 days in some areas of the course, but it might be wise to limit verticutting to two or three times a year in other areas.” Verticutting methods vary.
How long do golf greens last?
20 yearsA very general rule for the life expectancy of greens is that the construction should last at least 20 years. Over that 20 year period there are likely to be major changes in the golfer's expectations for how the greens should be maintained.
Why do they punch greens?
Punching the green (also called "coring" the green) counters the tendency of the soil on putting greens to compact over time and circulates air down into the soil and to the grassroots, helping keep the turfgrass healthy. Punching the greens, therefore, is a maintenance practice at golf courses.
Why do golf courses aerate fairways?
Aeration holes allow excess moisture to evaporate and promote gas exchange in the soil, resulting in stronger root systems and turf that is better able to tolerate golfer traffic. Proper timing of aeration will ensure the fastest possible recovery and return to smooth surface conditions.
What About Those Aeration Holes: Do You Get Relief?
Those pesky aeration holes may be around for a couple weeks. They are quite annoying at first but still noticeable and perhaps distracting for another week or two after that.
What is aeration in golf?
Think of golf course aeration as preventive maintenance: It's the (typically) annual process of punching little holes into greens (and sometimes fairways) that opens up growing room for grass roots and helps keep the turfgrass healthy. (It's also called "aerification.")
Why do golf courses need aeration?
The bottom line on why golf courses go through the process of aerified greens is that over time it keeps the greens healthier. This is the case because: 1 Aeration loosens soil that has been compacted by golfers walking over it and machines rolling over it. 2 This opens up growing room for the roots and increases oxygen to the roots. 3 The roots of the turfgrass thus can grow deeper, creating a healthier putting surface.
What is topdressing in golf?
The holes left behind are filled with sand in a process called "topdressing.". Once topdressed, a course is said to have "sanded greens.". The greens are left alone for a few days (although golfers may still play them) and the grass allowed to grow. The topdressing gradually disappears as watering takes place.
How long does it take for a green to get back to normal after topdressing?
The actual coring of the greens is a quick process, but from the time of the coring until the greens are somewhat back to normal is about a weeklong process. Signs of the aeration holes may remain on the putting greens for longer after that.
Why do golf courses have aerating greens?
The bottom line on why golf courses go through the process of aerified greens is that over time it keeps the greens healthier. This is the case because:
How does a golf green aerify?
To aerify a golf green a piece of machinery built for the task cores the ground (punches holes and removes the dirt) in a certain pattern. (The small cores of dirt that are removed are called "plugs.") Air and water are thus infused into the ground at root level, and space opened up for new root growth. The holes left behind are filled ...
Why is aerated greens important?
So great, we know that aeration is important, but how can we keep it from ruining our scores on the green? Aerated greens provide a unique challenge for golfers because they contrast the typically smooth and predictable motion of the ball. For example, if you dropped a ball straight down on a normal green you wouldn’t expect the ball to roll very far from where it landed. However, on an aerated green, if your ball lands on the side of a dirt core that has been removed it can travel in a completely different direction from the predicted ball flight.
Why do golf courses aerate?
Golf courses aerate their greens for four major reasons, all of which affect turf health. Aeration is usually performed in order to remove organic matter, decompress the soil, improve the drainage of the soil, and help promote root growth. Without aeration, organic matter (i.e. bacteria and other plants) build up on the surface of the turf.
How does venting aeration work?
During the playing season, courses usually choose to do venting aeration which is basically placing a bunch of small needles into the ground in order to break up the turf. This process is done throughout the year and is usually does not affect ball roll or playing conditions at all after a couple days.
How long does it take for a green to recover from aerated greens?
Great advice about hitting the ball low and a bit harder on aerated greens. Normally it takes about a week for the greens to recover to.llayable conditions and 2 to 3 weeks to be back to normal, during that time I work on my GIR percentage and focus less on my short game and score.
What is core aeration?
Core aeration compared to a normal green. Well, along with venting aeration, many courses may choose an aeration strategy that is much more aggressive once play dies down for the year. This is known as core aeration. When you mention aerated greens, core aeration is what comes to the mind of most golfers because it almost always results in ...
How to make the best aerated greens?
As we mentioned above, having the ball land on the side of a removed core basically leaves the result of the shot to chance depending on the angle of impact the ball has with the hole. By keeping your ball flight low you have a higher chance of rolling the ball over each hole which will help keep your ball on a more predictable path towards the hole.
How to keep your ball low?
By keeping your ball flight low you have a higher chance of rolling the ball over each hole which will help keep your ball on a more predictable path towards the hole. Besides keeping the ball low, hitting the ball slightly harder on chips and putts will help make up for the speed that is lost when the ball hits each bump. ...
Why do putting greens need aeration?
Putting greens receive more traffic than any other playing surface. The aeration process helps relieve the compaction caused by all that traffic. It also helps create a firm, smooth putting surface by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turf roots.
What is thatch in putting greens?
Thatch is a layer of old plant material that accumulates at the soil surface. If thatch on putting greens is not diluted by aeration and topdressing, it will act like a sponge, holding water near the surface. Excessive thatch creates soft playing conditions, inconsistent green speeds and increases the risk of disease.
What is the USGA green section?
The USGA’s Green Section has been helping golf courses deliver the best possible playing conditions for nearly 100 years. USGA agronomists work with golf facilities across North America to help them create and maintain environmentally and economically sustainable golf courses that give you the best playing experience, even if you have to occasionally play on aerated putting greens. (Click on the image above to get a full-screen view.)
How much of a putting green is aerated?
Typically, aeration affects less than 10 percent of a putting surface.
Does sand help putting greens?
However, filling aeration holes with sand actually helps create a smoother surface. Sand also creates channels for water and air movement, dilutes thatch and helps putting greens recover from aeration more quickly.
How to prevent thatch buildup?
Topdressing with sand can prevent thatch buildup, and aerification is one of the best ways to reduce an existing layer and prevent an excess of thatch from becoming established. "Other aerification techniques use machines with "tines"; or knives that simply poke holes through the soil profile.
What does it mean when you show up to a golf course?
Showing up to a golf course only to discover that it has recently underdone an aerification process can be a jolt to the system. You were hoping the golf course, and especially its greens, would be in great shape. Instead you find it full of little holes or covered in sand or other topdressing. It's frustrating.
What is aeration in gardening?
Aerification (also known as aeration) achieves three important objectives, the GCSAA explains: 1 It relieves soil compaction; 2 it provides a method to improve the soil mixture around the highest part of a green's roots; 3 and it reduces or prevents the accumulation of excess thatch.
Why fill aerification holes with sand?
Filling aerification holes with sand improves drainage and resists compaction. The periodic introduction of sand to a green's top layer can, over time, avoid or postpone expensive rebuilding or renovation of greens. "Finally, growing of turf adds to a layer of organic matter on the surface.
Why is a golf course aerated?
Aerification (also known as aeration) achieves three important objectives, the GCSAA explains: it provides a method to improve the soil mixture around the highest part of a green's roots; and it reduces or prevents the accumulation of excess thatch.
What is the process of aeration?
From the GCSAA's explanation of the aerification process (all excerpts appear here courtesy of the GCSAA): "Aerification is a mechanical process that creates more air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting, thus helping the grass plants stay healthy.
When is aerification best done?
To add insult to injury, aerification is best done in many part of the country during mid-summer, at the height of the playing season and when most greens are in prime condition. But a golfer needs to understand how important aerification is to producing healthy turf.".
What are the best ways to maintain fast greens?
While golfers hear a lot of discussion about courses with fast greens, they don’t hear as much about all that goes into providing those conditions. Lower mowing heights, regular topdressing, verticutting and hand watering are just some of the practices involved in maintaining faster greens. In addition, courses that maintain faster greens typically invest heavily in improving putting green growing environments by removing trees and enhancing drainage. The investments required on a daily and yearly basis to deliver faster green speeds are substantial, and beyond the budget of most golf courses.
What is the most important thing to know about green speed measurements?
One of the most important things to know about green speed measurements is that they should not be used to compare one golf course with another. A green speed that is perfect for one course could be way too fast for a course down the road that has steeper green contours or golfers with different skill levels. There are simply too many variables involved to make reasonable comparisons.
What is putting green?
Putting greens are comprised of living plants that change and perform differently from season to season and even day to day. Temperatures, humidity, rainfall and routine maintenance practices all influence daily green speed. Maintaining the same green speed throughout the year is impossible, and letting a target number dictate management practices is a recipe for damaged greens and undesirable playing conditions.
What type of grass is used in golf greens?
The majority of golf course greens in the UK are composed of a mixture of grasses ranging from colonial Bent grass ( Agrostis sp .), Fescue ( Festuca sp .) and Annual Meadow Grass ( Poa annua ). The Bent and the Fescue grasses are the desirable species, as they provide the best year round surfaces to putt on. However, Annual Meadow Grass is a ubiquitous species and is generally found in most fine turf situations. This species grows in clumps and patches and is susceptible to disease attack and is generally considered to produce poorer greens.
Why are my greens so slow?
Therefore if the Greens staff have pressure put on them to reduce the height of cut this can actually, in the long run, make them poorer greens and ultimately slower greens.
What is the USGA green speed?
The USGA guidelines set out for green speeds are achievable with good management techniques and if the course manager is not pressurised to significantly reduce heights of cut. The Stimp meter can be used to good effect to measure consistency from one green to the other not to see how fast the greens can get up to.
How to manage golf greens?
Golf greens can be managed to produce firm, true putting surfaces without the need to cut them down to excessively low heights. Some of these routine treatments include: light and frequent top dressing, regular light verti cutting treatments, good surface and sub surface drainage, a balanced minimal nutrient input, and minimal use of irrigation.
How to measure golf green speed?
The distance the ball rolls is measured which can then give an assessment of the current speed of the green.
What is the most contentious issue in golf?
Golf green speed is probably one of the most contentious issues on the golf course, and one which can give the course manager the biggest headache.
Can creeping bent grass be cut down?
In recent years the industry has seen the introduction of new 'creeping' Bent grass varieties that can be cut down to 2- 3mm and can produce extremely fast greens. The 'jury' is still out on these new cultivars. There is no doubt that they can produce good greens but some experts feel that they are not particularly suited to UK conditions.
What is a baseball grip?
Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.
Why is backspin important in golf?
It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
What is bump and run golf?
Bump and Run – A chip shot around the green involving a low lofted iron. This type of chip is great for a large part of the green to work with.
What is the center of gravity in golf?
Center of Gravity – While this term can also be used to talk about a player it is generally related to the design and balancing of the golf club. To keep the concept simple, the farther back and lower the center of gravity (CG), the higher the trajectory will be according to the loft angle. This will give golfers an easier launch that generally has good backspin. Low handicap players do not need this advantage as much and tend to prefer a progressive CG with a higher CG on the longer irons.
What is a big dog in golf?
Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Dimples – Golf balls have dimples to improve aerodynamics and regulate spin. The right number and design of dimples for your swing could improve performance. Divot – When striking the ball a chunk of turf from beneath the ball is often displaced. The remaining mark or hole is known as a divot.
What is a stimpmeter?
It's called a Stimpmeter. It's an ingeniously simple device – basically, a notched, V-shaped metal rail. The USGA sells its official Stimpmeter only to golf course superintendents or managers, so you'll have to obtain one through other means (such as an online auction site or retailer).
What makes a greens putt faster?
Strong winds. Unlike the first two points on our list, wind is one weather condition that will actually serve to speed up the greens. If a strong wind kicks up during your round, moisture is going to be pulled out of the putting surfaces – and your putts will become faster as a result.
What happens when you start a golf round early?
Dew evaporation. When you start your round early in the day, you may encounter some dew on the first few holes. This dew is not a big deal, although it will cause the greens to be a bit slower than they would be otherwise. Of course, that means the greens are going to speed up as the day goes on and the dew evaporates away. As you see the dew get lighter and lighter, plan on the greens playing faster as a result.
How high are the greens in the PGA Tour?
For comparison's sake, the greens on a typical public golf course “Stimp” at about 8 – 8.5”. On the PGA Tour, greens are routinely 11' – 12', and sometimes 14' or higher for the Masters, U.S. Open and a few other events.
How to determine green speed?
To come to a final determination on green speed, add up these numbers and divide by six. This number, stated in feet, is the speed of the green according to the Stimpmeter. You will often hear golfers refer to green speeds by just stating a single number, such as when somebody says the greens are 'running at a 10'.
When was the Stimpmeter invented?
The Stimpmeter is a piece of golf maintenance equipment that was developed in 1935 by a man named Edward Stimpson. The device is extremely simple, and it has a very simple job to do. Basically, up until 1935, there was no way to accurately measure the speed of the greens on a golf course.
How to mark a starting point for a putting test?
One easy way to mark your starting point is by placing a tee into the putting surface. Place the ball into the notch in the Stimpmeter, and raise the device slowly until the ball falls out of the notch and rolls away. When the ball has come to a rest, measure the distance that it has traveled. This is your first reading.
