Air Rading Greens

[Lefty11]

Just got back from a week long Golf Trip in Tampa Florida.

It seems that alot of Course down there air rade the greens this time of the year for maintenance. My questions is what exactly does airation do for the greens. By the name, it sounds like the greens need air below deck every few months.

Anyone have any knowledge on this?

[sidewinder]

It took me a moment to figure out what you were talking about. I think you mean "aerating the greens"....

S-

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by Lefty11

It seems that alot of Course down there air rade the greens this time of the year for maintenance. My questions is what exactly does airation do for the greens. By the name, it sounds like the greens need air below deck every few months.

I know what aeration does for your putting, when you have to play on them! As far as I remember, doesn't it assist with drainage and allow the greens to 'breathe' once or twice a year to help the condition of the grass?

Two or three times now I've turned up at a course for them to warn me that they've just aerated the greens as I'm heading out of the pro-shop door, having paid my money for the round. I don't hit that first tee-box with much of a smile on my face...

[SCGolfer]

this may not be exactly the reason but it has something to do with the soil compaction. it improves water and nutrient intake and reduces water runoff and increases the greens drought resistence.

(our pro gave up the soil compaction info....i looked up the what that helps with from the net)



Jason

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by SCGolfer

this may not be exactly the reason but it has something to do with the soil compaction. it improves water and nutrient intake and reduces water runoff and increases the greens drought resistence.

I've been involved with similar processes on soccer pitches and it's always been to allow water to get down to root level quickly, and to slightly 'lift' the surface - hence why the greens get so bumpy while it's been freshly done.

[cabinessence]

From wikipedia:

"Core aeration is done on turf areas as a means of reducing turf compaction, reducing thatch buildup, improving the infiltration of water/nutrients, and creating an environment where grass seed can have direct contact with the soil."

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Originally Posted by Sandy

Two or three times now I've turned up at a course for them to warn me that they've just aerated the greens as I'm heading out of the pro-shop door, having paid my money for the round. I don't hit that first tee-box with much of a smile on my face...

Oh my lord.

We let everyone know when they call for a tee time that the greens will be areated when they come to play. We also post signs around the club house and pro-shop. We also drop the price of a green fee. Sometimes you can snag a 2 for 1 deal out of it, sometimes it's just a twilight rate.

Anyhow, different pros run their shop differently.

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by ThatCanadianGuy

Anyhow, different pros run their shop differently.

One of these was at the Brickyard Crossing in Indianapolis, where I'd just handed over $90 for the privilege of playing a course I'd been looking forward to playing for a whole year, and made a trip especially to play! What made it even worse was that they had aerated some of the fairways too, so they were in awful condition...

[Eracer]

That absolutely pisses me off to no end when courses don't:

A. Tell you they've aerated and let you decide whether you want to play under those conditions.

B. Discount the round for having a damaged golf course.

Sorry you guys have to do it twice a year folks, but don't screw me because of it.

[Fitzpatrick]

I remember once I played at my home course (back before I made it my home course) where I payed for my round in the clubhouse/bar, and the gal told me that they had aerated the greens. She let me play for 1/2 the price (so, $6 for 9), and offered to throw in a free drink before/during/after the round. I thanked her, shot my 51, and came in for a Miller Lite.

Playing on aerated greens is a pain, but if I know ahead of time, I will just forget about trying to play for a score, and concentrate on playing a good long game. Heck, if I get my ball close a time or two, I might even putt!

[ezra76]

I once played on a course they charged me full price not only for aerated greens but 2 friggen temp greens set up. Then I play 9 and there is a bunch of kids from HS on 10. They made me play the front with the 2 temp tees over again stacked with 4somes. Took forever.

Ironically this is also the course from the "what would you do" thread.



The course I normally play always tells me and never sets up "temp greens". I don't mind it all that much as it's usually just a couple weeks prior to the start of "the season" and it makes a huge difference. They were in awesome shape last time I played there and IMO the best greens I've ever played on. Reward a shot worked in there correctly by feeding at the stick and putt fast and true.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by ezra76

I once played on a course they charged me full price not only for aerated greens but 2 friggen temp greens set up. Then I play 9 and there is a bunch of kids from HS on 10. They made me play the front with the 2 temp tees over again stacked with 4somes. Took forever.

Ironically this is also the course from the "what would you do" thread.

Sounds to me like you need to find another place to play. $43 per round, and they treat you like that? Let your money do the talking. Take it elsewhere.

Oh. Wait. You didn't pay...

Just kidding, just kidding...

[chollyred]

Just got back from Myrtle Beach. Most all of the courses there have just aerated. Several were running aerification specials (Wicked Stick - $28 w/cart). I played Wachesaw East twice because they weren't going to aerate until after I left.

A lot of courses are now verticutting the greens instead of punch aerating. I guess it depends on what kind of shape they're in. Verticutting and top-dressing with a little sand can still allow for some good puttable (and fast) greens.

A couple of years ago, a group of us played a course where the greens were so chewed up, we declared anything within a foot of the cup as made. We were playing "putt and pray". You would literally bounce the ball in the direction of the cup.

[charnockpro]

At our course after micro tining in the summer, to release any thatch build up we apply a wetting agent which seeps into the soil and construction of the green allowing it to hold moisture for longer and then helping the greens by not having to be watered as much which can bring on a green disease called fusarium

Again lifted from Wikipedia
Fusarium patch is a fungal disease that occurs on grass. It is a very common disease of golf courses, and is due to the fungus Michrodochium nivale.

Golf courses are very favourable environment to fusarium development, as greens are usually well watered, sheltered by trees, will high-level of nitrogen and rather alkaline soil.
Michrodochium nivale development can be controlled through different management methods. Chemical method is the most widely used method.
Other cultural controls are possible, such as the use of resistant varieties, using soil bacteria to improve soil, practices to reduce thatch, improve drainage, mowing and raking infected patches to dry them.

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by ThatCanadianGuy

Oh my lord.

We let everyone know when they call for a tee time that the greens will be areated when they come to play. We also post signs around the club house and pro-shop. We also drop the price of a green fee. Sometimes you can snag a 2 for 1 deal out of it, sometimes it's just a twilight rate.

Anyhow, different pros run their shop differently.

TCG:

YOu guys are the ultimate in professionalism.

Our group went down to Destin, FL awhile back and one of the courses had the balls to charge us $100 when they had just aerated and shaved the greens down to dirt.

I went into the Pro Shop afterward and told them that using the same words..."The balls you guys have to charge me $100, on greens that putt like shit".