Fall Aerification

Over the past couple of weeks we have been aerifying the fairways. So far 1-3, 7, 8, 11 & 14 are complete. As we were going through this process I began to think about the significance of this practice, so I wanted to share it with you.

Aerification can be accomplished in multiple ways. Some of these include: coring, the use of solid tines and spiking. Core aerification involves a hollow tube made of metal that is used to remove a plug of turf and soil from the ground. This is the process we have been using this week on the fairways. While doing this, thousands of pounds of soil are brought to the surface and lay on top of the turf until we begin to pulverize the cores and drag them back into the turf canopy. The core aerification process accomplishes a number of important cultural practices. Among these is topdressing. As the cores are broken up and they are drug into the turf canopy the playing surface is smoothed and the thatch mat is diluted.

Solid tine aerification is purely a solid shaft of metal that is thrust into the ground. No soil is removed in this process. Like solid tining, slicing does not remove soil. The difference is that slicing is done, primarily, with triangle shaped blades that are mounted on a drum-type machine. As the drum is pulled over the ground, these blades puncture the ground.

Coring, solid tining and slicing all relieve compaction, the most important facet of aerification, to varying degrees. Compaction is one of grass' worst enemies. When compacted ground exists the inability of the roots to penetrate the hard soil is the major detriment. You can see examples of this issue at locations around the course where vehicle traffic occurs regularly.

Even though we are disrupting the playing surface, the long term benefits outweigh the short term surface disruption. So, please excuse our mess. J