Aerification Process

These pictures below show the entire process it takes to aerify each green.  We have close to 5 acres of bentgrass across all 27 holes, and it takes a lot of work to get it done each time.  Believe me, if there was a better, easier way to give the greens what they truly need to survive and be healthy, we would do it!  The big holes and heavy sand process is really vital to the long term health of the greens.  While it is never fun to putt on the greens for a few weeks after it is done,it is very important, and we try to make them grow back as quickly as possible!


Here is a picture of #8 Green right before we start the process of Aerification.  Greens were looking pretty good before!

The first step is to apply a even topdressing of sand across the entire green. 

Next the Toro Procore 648 will come punch the 1/2 holes and remove a core.  The plugs of turf are then collected by the machine and deposited on the edges of the greens.  You can see staff in the background of the picture using shovels to pick up the piles of plugs.  This is a very labor intensive process.

After all the plugs have been removed and blown off, it is time to drag the sand evenly into the holes.  Sand will help add new pore space in the holes where the plugs were removed, and encourage new roots to grow.  This will help firm the greens and help build a strong foundation to help survive the hot summer months. 

One week later and the green grass is very visible!  This is a sign the greens are growing back quickly!  We will begin to mow the greens on our usual schedule next week, and continue to mow them each day going forward.  Much unwanted rain has really helped wash it in to the turf profile!