Why aerate the greens?

You’ve just arrived at the golf course for your much-anticipated round of golf, only to find that the greens have been recently aerated. Although it presents a temporary inconvenience that must be dealt with, rest assured, no superintendent likes to aerate the greens; it is a labor-intensive, time-consuming process.

So why do superintendents insist on aerating the greens, often two, three, or more times per year? They do so because it keeps the grass healthy, and the procedure is so beneficial that almost every golf course must go through the process.

The primary goal of aeration is to relieve soil compaction, improve water infiltration, and control organic matter, which consists of decaying roots and grass stems. This organic matter acts like a sponge, and when it gets too thick it holds too much water near the surface. This condition limits new root growth, increases disease, and causes other turf problems. Aeration, combined with sand topdressing applied to fill the holes, is the most effective way to manage the organic matter near the green’s surface.

When the soil holds the proper amount of air and water, the result is healthier turf and less traffic damage to the greens. Too much air results in excessively dry greens that can come under severe stress. Too much water results in a short, weakened root system and eventual turf failure. Aeration holes increase air exchange, promote better root growth, and help dry the top few inches of the soil profile. The result is a better root system. Visual proof can be seen by examining white roots in the aeration holes.

Fortunately, today’s superintendents have at their disposal a wide variety of aeration tools to maintain healthy greens. Although the most common method involves removing cores and backfilling the holes with sand, other aeration practices include making very small holes spaced closely together; pulling long cores to achieve deep aeration; aerating with solid tines; and even aerating with high pressure jets of water. There is no single best aeration program that is appropriate for every situation. Superintendents frequently adjust their programs throughout the year, depending on factors such as current weather conditions, equipment and labor availability, grass species and varieties, water quality and availability, tournament dates, and other variables, all to achieve the best playing conditions possible.

Bunkers: The Number-One Opportunity for Savings
One of the great ironies of golf course maintenance is that bunkers that golfers want to avoid require more labor per square foot than any other area. After a storm event, sand contamination from surrounding soils, puddling and sand displacement are just a few of the problems that plague bunkers every time the rain falls. What's more, sand traps, on average, only last one to three years before they need to be renovated.

The QuickPlay Chamber is a superior drainage system that creates less downtime and is very budget friendly. With reduced time and money invested into bunker maintenance, the remainder of the course and club can benefit from these additional budget dollars saved.