Should I aerate my golf greens?
Most golfers know the importance or aerating greens. Even if they don't understand why, they know it's necessary. Still, no one likes to putt on greens that have been recently aerated, especially a deep-tine aeration with core removal and top dressing.
How do you aerify 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.") Air and water are thus infused into the ground at root level, and space opened up for new root growth.
What is aeration in golf and how does it work?
Aeration loosens soil that has been compacted by golfers walking over it and machines rolling over it. This opens up growing room for the roots and increases oxygen to the roots. The roots of the turfgrass thus can grow deeper, creating a healthier putting surface.
Is there any relief from aeration holes?
So, no relief from aeration holes unless ... unless the Committee in charge of your course or competition has adopted Specimen Local Rule 3c that appears in Part B of Appendix I to the Rules of Golf.
Do you fill holes after aeration?
When using sand after aeration, the sand fills the holes and helps change the soil structure, improving its drainage and increasing the growth of healthy grass.
How do you fill aerator holes?
0:081:26Water Movement Into Aeration Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipChannel is cut into the soil with a narrow fire a topdressing sand of a desirable particle size isMoreChannel is cut into the soil with a narrow fire a topdressing sand of a desirable particle size is then worked into the open narration holes until they are filled to the surface.
How long does it take for greens to heal after aeration?
It 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 long does it take for aeration holes to fill in?
While aeration itself can take just a couple of hours, depending on the size of your commercial property, plugs typically break down in about two weeks. This can be longer or shorter depending on weather conditions, but mowing does help expedite this process.
How often should I aerate my 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. "The practice of core aeration is done when the grass is growing the most aggressively, so they can have the quickest recovery time," Moeller said.
How long does it take for a green to recover after core removal?
That improves drainage and air exchange for the plants. It 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.
Should golfers know before they practice?
Letting golfers know before they show up to the course should probably be the minimum practice, and most courses are trying to do that. How courses and clubs communicate this to golfers varies, of course.
Do you putt on greens that have been aerated?
Most golfers know the importance or aerating greens. Even if they don't understand why, they know it's necessary. Still, no one likes to putt on greens that have been recently aerated, especially a deep-tine aeration with core removal and top dressing. Trying to putt over holes is frustrating at best, and often golfers who do play in such ...
Tgolfa
Just a question about airation. The greens on my course were airated 2 weeks ago... still not recovered since the last time they were done about 5 weeks before. The holes were almost big enough to push your little finger into both times... no top dressing either time. No rollering greens.
Tgolfa
Head ground staff being lazy?? Have found them not easy to approach. As have most members!
Tgolfa
As I said ground staff are not approachable to the extent the head grounds man has complained to the owners of the club and asked that certain members stop badgering him!!!
David in FL
As I said ground staff are not approachable to the extent the head grounds man has complained to the owners of the club and asked that certain members stop badgering him!!!
Groucho Valentine
Five weeks in an unusually long time for an aeration to heal. Shouldn't take any longer than 7-10 days if the greens are healthy with decent weather. Maybe there is a disease in them.
caniac6
We used to punch twice in the spring. Once early spring, and then late spring. We would usually use larger plugs in the early one. We always top dressed and rolled the greens. The only reason I could see to leave the holes open would be if the greens were holding a lot of water, and they were trying to dry them a bit.
Kalnoky
Five weeks in an unusually long time for an aeration to heal. Shouldn't take any longer than 7-10 days if the greens are healthy with decent weather. Maybe there is a disease in them.
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 ...
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.
Where is the ball placed on the putting green?
The most to-the-point part of that local rule is this: "On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that avoids the situation.". Because such a local rule would be of limited duration, it would not be printed on the scorecard.
Is an aeration hole considered an abnormal ground condition?
The answer is a qualified yes, with an exception possibly provided through a local rule. Aeration holes do not qualify as an abnormal ground condition, because the governing bodies specifically say they do not qualify as "ground under repair" in Decision 25/15: "Q. Is an aeration hole a hole made by a greenkeeper within the meaning ...
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.
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.
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.
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.".
