Fazio Aerfication Recap - April 2024

 Fazio Course Aerification Recap

Greens Aerification

• USGA sand topdressing is applied before the aerifiers begin pulling cores
• Unwanted material (organic matter) is removed from the surface
• Smaller coring tines are used this time of year but punched twice as many holes
• Our approach in April is to poke as many holes as possible to relieve compaction created during the winter months and increase percolation rates by creating macropore space
• We will use the larger tines in July and August to remove more organic matter
• These practices, along with our verticutting and topdressing programs are essential to the long term health and playability of our greens

• The sand is drug into holes and into the canopy of the turf

• Sand is blown and hand swept into aerification holes

• Greens are rolled multiple times for smoothness

• Fertilizer and amendments are applied according to soil test results to correct any deficiencies
• Irrigation is applied to water in fertilizer / amendments to a target soil moisture

Fairway Aerification

• Fairways were aerified with solid tines to allow air / gas exchange
• This assists with transitioning from ryegrass overseed to bermuda and relieves compaction on the fairways

Tees, Collars, & Approaches Aerification

• Similar to the greens aerification process
• Larger coring tines were used 
• The cores are pulverized and drug back into the holes
• Fertilizer and amendments were applied and watered in

As a reminder:

1. WE AERATE TO IMPROVE, NOT ANNOY

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.

2. THATCH CONTROL

Thatch is a layer of old plant material that accumulates at the soil surface. If the 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.

3. TIMING

Do you ever wonder why aeration is commonly performed when putting greens are playing their best? Aerating when grass is healthy and actively growing minimizes damage and allows for a quick return to optimal playing conditions. Aerating at other times may be more convenient for the golf schedule, but it lengthens recovery times, increases the risk of an invasion of weeds and could cause lasting damage.

4. IT’S NOT AS BAD AS YOU THINK

It may seem like there are more holes than grass on the putting greens right after they’ve been aerated, but this is an illusion. Typically, aeration affects less than 10 percent of the putting surface.

5. THE IMPORTANCE OF SAND

A heavy application of topdressing during aeration may appear to make putting greens less playable. However, filling aeration holes with sand 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.