Greens Needle tine aeration

Its that time of year when we break out our large verti-drain aerating unit. This is the same unit that we use in the early spring and late fall to do our major aeration. Not too worry, this is one of the least disruptive cultural practices that we utilize on our green surfaces. We work hard at trying to smooth our green surfaces which helps with ball roll and plant health.

I made 3 videos to help explain the operation in great detail.

The first video shows that actual operation at work. Russ is our operator.

Its amazing with such large units on the greens that there is not major disruption of the surface but there is not. The large floating tires have relatively low inflation rates. 15 psi is standard and we lowered to 10 psi to insure that the tire would roll flatter reducing any potential for tire tracking.

The next video shows the verti-drain unit with its needle-tine holder and explanation of the spacing and the number of tines used.

The main emphasis for this work is to open up the green surface to allow for water penetration as well as oxygen exchange.

4-4.5 inches depth for most of our greens puts the tine into the soil layer which rests below the sand. This will assist us with water moving further into the green profile allowing for better rooting in the sand layer. There will also be opportunities for roots to find an additional home in that small channel that was made by the tines. The more roots at great depth, the better chance of survival during the heat of summer.

Another example of the aeration pattern and the size of the holes and their pattern.