Aerification (also known as aeration) achieves three important objectives, the GCSAA explains:
- It relieves soil compaction;
- 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 core aerification in golf?
Core aerification is the greatest economic liability in golf, the most expensive and potentially destructive decision any golf course can make, literally guaranteeing both higher costs and poorer soil over time. The goals of core aerification can be met - and exceeded - with biological soil management.
What happens to a golf course without aerification?
Part of making the best of the situation when playing a recently aerified golf course is recognizing that the process is essential to golf course health. And, as the GCSAA put it, without aerification, the putting greens die: "Preventative maintenance is an integral part of successful golf course management.
What is golf course aeration and why is it important?
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.")
What is Aerification and why do you need it?
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. When thinking about the quality of putting greens, you have to go below the surface, too.
Is it worth playing on aerated greens?
Aerating the soil can also relieve soil compression which not only helps grass grow better but ensures that the courses greens are firm and play fair, something that any golfer can appreciate.
How long does it take for greens to recover from aeration?
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.
What is an Aerification alert golf?
That means a good golf course operator must aerate their greens. Not to annoy you, but rather to provide you a consistent product . Aeration allows air and water to reach the roots, relieve soil compaction and promote healthy root growth.
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.
Can you putt on aerated greens?
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 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.
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.
Why do they poke holes in grass?
It's important to aerate – essentially, poke holes in – your lawn at least once a year. Aeration loosens up the soil, improves drainage and air flow around the plants, and it promotes root depth and root growth. We bet you'll see thicker grass growth and healthier color in your lawn just a week or two after you aerate.
Why do golf courses aerate fairways?
Golfers often ask, “Why is aeration needed so often?” Aeration is an essential program to keep playing surfaces healthy and in good condition. Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter – i.e., decaying roots and grass stems – relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage.
What does Aerification mean?
noun. an act of combining with air. the state of being filled with air.
What happens if you don't aerate your lawn?
1 Aeration creates holes down into the soil to alleviate compaction so air, water and nutrients can reach grass roots. Deprived of their basic needs by compacted soil, lawn grasses struggle in stressful situations, such as heat and low rainfall, and lose their healthy, rich color.
Why do golf courses plug 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 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 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.")
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.
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 ...
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.
Do you have to putt a golf ball on an aeration hole?
If your golf ball comes to rest on an aeration hole, what's the ruling? Do you have to putt it like that? The answer is a qualified yes, with an exception possibly provided through a local rule.
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.
How much of a putting green is aerated?
Typically, aeration affects less than 10 percent of a putting surface.
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.)
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.
What is a golf course aeration?
Aeration is designed to basically let golf course grass breath and stretch out a little bit. It's designed to control what's known as "organic matter," dying grass and grass parts, while loosening compacted soil and allowing water to flow better underground.
How does aeration help golf course grass?
Aeration is designed to basically let golf course grass breath and stretch out a little bit. It's designed to control what's known as "organic matter," dying grass and grass parts, while loosening compacted soil and allowing water to flow better underground. By having compacted, poor-performing or dead grass parts in the soil, the healthy turf can struggle to grow and develop strong roots. Compacted soil, created from foot traffic, weather and other factors, reduces oxygen levels in the soil and can inhibit water getting to turf roots. All of this compacting and organic matter can also make for a softer golf course because it's unable to drain water and push new turf to the surface.
Why do golf course superintendents aerate?
So, golf course superintendents aerate so you have a better golf course. They can do that with a variety of methods, but the general idea is to either make punch marks in the soil with rolling spikes or using equipment to create varying size soil cores that are pulled out of the ground. These holes allow for excess moisture to evaporate and better chemistry in the soil to promote healthy turf growth.
How long does it take to recover from a golf course aeration?
It usually takes a golf course two weeks to recovery from properly done golf course aeration.
Why do you curse yourself for a golf course?
You curse to yourself because you know the golf course has aerated. However, golf course aeration is a good thing, and it helps to keep our golf courses in great shape, even when the weather turns against golf course superintendents. Aeration is designed to basically let golf course grass breath and stretch out a little bit.
Why is aeration important in golf?
Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter – i.e., decaying roots and grass stems – relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage. If organic matter becomes too thick, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions. Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces.
Why do golf courses need aeration holes?
Aeration holes filled with sand topdressing will allow excess water from the soil to evaporate, promote root development and improve drainage. The word aeration stimulates negative emotions for many golfers. It may come as a surprise, but golf course superintendents also dislike aeration. After all, the last person who wants to disrupt ...
What is the most effective way to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces?
Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces. Core aeration involves physically removing small soil cores – e.g., 0.5-inch diameter cores – from the turf and is the most common type of aeration.
What is the USGA?
The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it. Why Do Golf Courses.
What happens when you add too much organic matter to your lawn?
Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions.
Is aeration good for greens?
Aeration can create short-lived disruption but it is a highly beneficial program that keeps greens healthy and playing well.
How many different types of aerating are there?
First of all, there are probably as many as five different types of aerating practices, according to Adam Moeller, director of education for the USGA Green Section. The least invasive small-tine aerating hardly disrupts the playing surface at all and is usually very playable immediately afterwards, but its effectiveness is certainly debatable.
What irritates golfers more than anything?
What irritates golfers more than anything, of course, is when they show up for their tee time, only to find out then that the greens were recently aerated, or worst yet, don't discover it until they get to the first green. The latter is certainly rare, and the former is becoming less common, too, as courses know this doesn't exactly create good will with their customer base. Letting golfers know before they show up to the course should probably be the minimum practice, and most courses are trying to do that.
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 ...
Do golf courses send out alerts?
As all of us have become more tied to our phones and computers, and facilities have extensive emailing lists, many courses send out alerts to their regular customers, letting them know when greens are going to be aerated. And most courses will inform golfers who reserve a tee time by phone if greens have been recently aerated. (It saves a lot of potential grief for shop personnel later).
Can you play rough greens after aerating?
Golfers looking to save a little money on green fees who don't mind rough greens would be well advised to check out course websites and get on mailing lists. Sometimes, the greens are surprisingly playable following an aggressive aerating, especially if you wait a few days after the procedure when the maintenance crews have had a chance to "whip" the sand off the greens and run the mowers and rollers.
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.
Is there an industry standard for discounting green fees?
There certainly isn't an industry standard when it comes to communication or discounting green fees. For example, the courses run by Chicago-based KemperSports management company vary by course as to how they communicate with golfers. As for discounts, "it's really left up to each property to figure out the best way to compensate our guests," said B.R. Koehnemann, director of communications for KemperSports.
What is core aerification?
Core aerification is the greatest economic liability in golf, the most expensive and potentially destructive decision any golf course can make, literally guaranteeing both higher costs and poorer soil over time. The goals of core aerification can be met - and exceeded - with biological soil management. Soil biology is the building block of soil ...
Why do golf courses use soil biology?
Golf courses are turning to soil biology to reduce compaction and improve the growing environment for their turfgrass. This innovation has eliminated the need to core aerify entirely at sites across the country. In a healthy soil ecosystem, millions of species of microorganisms are decomposing organic material, cycling nutrients, and improving soil quality. Oxygen transfer increases, turf density improves, irrigation efficiency skyrockets, and thatch is reduced to levels the soil biome can manage. Imagine what your club could do without aerification pressure. No more lost revenue from vacant tee sheets and discounted green fees. Labor costs, sand expenses, machinery upkeep, fuel - all required for core aerification, are no longer necessary. Best of all, no more complaints from paying customers about core aerification (they will certainly find something else to bring to your attention).
Why do golf course superintendents turn to soil biology?
Golf course superintendents are turning to soil biology to improve playing conditions and increase the profitability of their operation. New innovation replaces conventional techniques each year. Why spend time and money on outdated management practices that negatively affect your business? It is time for core aerification to go.
How often does Pinecrest aerate?
Historically, Pinecrest has aerified twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, for over 15 years. In 2020, they decided to use a soil biology management program instead- with incredible results. In maintenance alone, they saved a combined total of $15,000.
Is core aerification necessary?
Labor costs, sand expenses, machinery upkeep, fuel - all required for core aerification, are no longer necessary. Best of all, no more complaints from paying customers about core aerification (they will certainly find something else to bring to your attention).
Is aerification a part of golf?
It’s just the price you pay for a pristine golf course. You know that aerification is just part of golf. It’s a necessary evil.
When is spring aeration?
The spring aeration is planned for the first week in May and the fall aeration for the last week in August, but weather is the deciding factor. Though aerating later in the fall would affect play less, it’s more important for long-term course conditions that holes heal before the onset of winter.
When does Krick aerate?
Amendments and respective rates are based on soil test results.”. Krick aerates the greens, tees and roughs in the fall, generally starting near the end of September and depending on current weather conditions and long-range predictions.
What is the last grass to be aerated in the fall?
The last to be aerated in the fall is the first to be aerated in the spring. Fairways, which are aerated in the fall only, are perennial ryegrass and Poa annua with some bluegrass mixed in. Pizzuto uses a tow-behind Ryan aerator with open-spoon tines.
What type of soil is used in the USGA golf course?
A second nine holes were added about 10 years ago and include USGA greens that are primarily bentgrass with some Poa encroachment and modified-soil bent grass tees. All fairways are clay-loam native soil with a mix of Poa and bentgrass.
Is aeration good for golf?
To golfers, aeration is a paradox – they don’t like it done, but they like the results eventually. It’s a good thing aeration options have opened the door for golf course superintendents to mix and match methods to develop the most effective strategy for the needs of the courses they manage. While typical core and spike aerification remain part ...
