Fall Aerification Information and Schedule
Like most courses in southeastern Wisconsin, the maintenance staff at Hidden Glen is preparing for fall aerification. In today’s world of golf course management, aerification takes on many shapes and forms, and is dictated by each facility’s individual budget, agronomic needs, and available equipment. Below you will find Hidden Glen’s fall aerification schedule and a brief description of the philosophy behind each practice.
Putting Greens:
Date: Front Nine—September 8, Back Nine—September 9
Process: Staff will create holes in the putting surfaces using a ½ inch solid tine on 2 inch centers to a depth of 4 inches. Additionally, staff will solid tine using a ¼ inch solid tine on 3 inch centers to a depth of ten inches. Staff will incorporate sand into all holes using brushes and blowers.
Reason: The sand based root zone of Hidden Glen’s greens make for an excellent putting surface. In order to make sure that the putting greens continue to perform at a high level, it is imperative that fresh sand is continually introduced into the soil profile. This guarantees proper drainage and air exchange during the stressful summer months. The aerification process in 2014 was slightly less intrusive than the upcoming 2015 aerificiation. However, this was done at the expense of introducing a sufficient amount of sand in the profile. Since no cores will be pulled in 2015, the recovery time will be less than years when cores are pulled. With warm weather and sunny days, I anticipate a 7-10 day recovery period. The attached picture, taken on the practice holes, depicts what the greens will look like immediately following aerification.
Tees, Approaches, and Collection Areas:
Date: Tees—September 10-11, Approaches and Collection Areas—week of September 14
Process: Staff will pull and collect a ½ inch core. At the same time, staff will lightly verticut and apply sand.
Reason: Over the years, a significant amount of thatch has accumulated in tees, approaches to greens and in the collection areas around greens. The excess thatch has created a poorly drained and spongy playing surface. The removal of thatch and incorporation of sand into the soil profile will create a firmer playing surface that is less prone to disease. The same holds true regarding the approaches and collection areas. Improved firmness and playability is an added benefit in terms of these areas around the greens. With the consistent application of these practices, the bump and run shot will become a more dependable option when hitting into greens.
Fairways:
Date: September 14
Process: Staff will solid tine fairways (
no cores) and verticut fairways in two directions. Upon completion of these processes, sand will be applied and incorporated into the turf canopy.
Reason: Like the tees, a significant amount of thatch has accumulated in the fairways. Regular grooming practices, such as verticutting, physically remove the thatch. When this is coupled with sand topdressing, we are able to transform the soil profile from clay to sand. The native, heavy clay soils tend to remain soft following rain events. This is especially true when a thick thatch mat is also present. Over time a firmer sand base will be created by physically removing the thatch and applying sand. The fairways will play better on a more consistent basis due to improved ball roll. The fairways will dry out more quickly following rain which leads to reduced disease pressure and fewer days when carts are restricted.
**Please keep in mind that all dates are weather dependent. All practices require that no rain be present.