Aerification complete! Now if it will just quit snowing...

Despite a sketchy forecast, we were able to get greens aerified on Monday.  Since I have changed our usual practices over the last few years, many people have asked what "type" of aerification we are doing this spring. 

The only difference for this punching was we did not use the large, tractor-mounted deep-tine aerifier.  Last fall, the deep-tine machine went over the greens immediately followed by our greens aerifier with 3/4" solid tines.   This resulted in too much surface disruption and poor putting performance for longer than I liked.  On the plus side, it also meant that we have done our job in maintaining greens with minimal compaction which promotes good air flow, drainage, and root growth.  To avoid excess surface disruption this spring, we skipped the deep-tine for now and only used our traditional aerifier with 3/4" solid tines to about a 3" depth.  We will be using the deep-tine aerifier this spring, but will wait until the greens have healed.  Don't be scared.  I will be using very small 7mm tines that will punch deep, but make very small holes that shouldn't interfere too much with regular play.  It will help us through the summer by providing rooting channels and increased drainage.   

The net result is we got more sand into our greens than we ever have.  We used around 40 tons of sand for just over 2 acres of green surface.  This is extremely beneficial to our soil profile and will promote great performance during the season.

The greens were verti-cut and topdressed heavily before punching.

The traditional greens aerifier with 3/4" solid tines at 3" deep.

The aerifier does a nice job of getting the sand into the holes.

After punching, a heavy dose of organic fertilizer is applied

Sand and fertilizer being drug into the profile with our heavy duty "ass kicking" greens brush.  The guys hate this one because it is heavy, but does a great job of moving the sand.

A finer brush and some hand work filling as many holes as possible.

A final rolling, hand broom, and soaking complete the job.  The greens actually roll decently!