Venting

A common cultural practice that is monthly procedure here at ACC is venting the greens.  The 10" long, 1/4" diameter tines open a void to allow for gaseous exchange within the rootzone.  To establish and maintain roots to the depths we produce (6 - 9 inches), it is critical that we supply oxygen at these depths.  It is as simple as no oxygen, no roots.  In the heat of the summer, the moisture requirement of the plant increases.  With additional irrigation requirements, oxygen is displaced from the soil profile and most courses experience root decline.  Venting is critical to lessening or negating this phenomenon from occurring.  The minor holes do not impact ball roll and usually heal within three or four days after the practice is completed. 

Fairway Aerification

The fairway aerification process has begun and is scheduled to take place over the next two weeks.  Thank you for your patience during this critical cultural practice.

Post Aerification

One week after aerification, we were mowing the greens (at a higher height of cut) and picking up minimal sand.  Although many golfers complain about the sand, it is the key to a smooth, firm surface.  The Bentgrass will grow through the sand layer in week two and by week three, the current concerns will be forgotten.  


The surface will not be back to it's exceptional condition for about five weeks, weather dependent.  Next season, we scheduled to core aerify the second week in April.  The day length will be longer and the weather should be warmer and more conducive to re-establishment.  Additional light topdressings will be required to perfect and smooth the surface for the remaining forty seven weeks of the season.

One Week Post Aerification & Topdressing

Five weeks after Aerification & Sanding- back to exceptional conditioning

Tee, Approach, and Fairway Aerification

Tee and Approach aerification and topdressing were completed in late May and early June. Fairway aerification continues this month and should be competed by the third week. The aerification process is not only important to improve water penetration and relieve compaction, it is essential in increasing the Bermudagrass population in the fairways. The cores are dried by the summer heat then dragged and dispersed with metal mats to separate soil and turf. The Bermuda "tuft" populates open aerification holes and grows to increase population and density.

Hole #16

Hole #1 Aerified

Hole #1 After the dragging process:

Deep Tine Aerification

A key cultural component to developing deep rooting systems is deep tine aerification. The procedure allows for gaseous exchange to take place within the growing medium. Roots will not grow and cannot survive in anaerobic conditions (lacking oxygen). By opening channels from depths of 8" to 12", the turfgrass is able to produce and maintain deeper roots, which allow for less compromised turf as heat related stresses increase in the summers of Southern California. The monthly aerification, followed by rolling, creates minimal visual surface disturbance and no impact on putting. The split day process also benefits water infiltration into the rootzone and is typically non-detectable visually within four days.

Spring Hollow Core Aerification

In conjunction with our monthly deep tine aerification, a spring hollow core aerification is an important cultural practice utilized to maintain the health of the Bentgrass greens at Arrowhead Country Club. The benefits of a correctly timed hollow core aerification include: improved water penetration, reduced soil compaction, thatch/organic matter removal, soil profile composition modification, and gaseous exchange.

Core Aerification is a short-term disruption that has long-term benefits for the course. The quality of a good putting green is more than skin deep. The health and performance of a putting green is an indication of the conditions below the surface. In order to maintain healthy turfgrass you must have and promote deep, healthy roots. Roots will only grow where oxygen is present and gaseous exchange can take place.

Maintenance and golfer traffic over the course of a season contribute to compaction near the soil surface. This compaction in addition to plant growth and death, fertility practices, mowing height and topdressing practices all impact thatch (organic matter) build-up. Increased organic content can impact water infiltration and surface firmness.

Core Aerification is a mechanical process that involves removing 1/2” cores from the greens surface. The cores are hand removed, the greens are rolled to correct imperfections, and then the greens are topdressed with sand. The sand (which must be dry or else bridging can occur) is then brushed to fill the holes. The sand is brushed on a daily basis to aid in the migration into the turf canopy. The greens are rolled to aid in firmness and they are cut only when the Bentgrass grows up through the sand.

The average recovery period is three weeks, weather dependent.

Aerification:

1/2" cores 2"x2" spacing:

Rolling:

Topdressing:

After first brush: