We have hollow cored 1-9 greens using 12mm hollowcores to a depth of 130mm, they were then removed for the surface by the team and all debris blow off before the greens were tined again, this time using 12mm solid tines. Those to a depth of 250mm.
The reason we do the two processes is one, the hollow tines remove organic matter within the soil profile and allows it to be replaced with sand, and two the solid tines relieve compaction and also have the added benefit of getting sand deeper in the soil profile. This over time will increase drainage and get water deeper in the soil to encourage better rooting and the final goal of healthier grass.
A total of 29 tonnes of sand has been put on to the 9 greens we have done this week. The greens, due to their current dry nature has taken the sand well and a lot has fallen down the holes after brushing. More sand will probably have to be applied once the holes start knitting in, this is simply to smooth out the greens, usually you will get slight indentations around the holes, especially the hollow tine holes. A subsequent dressing of sand followed by a drag mat will help smooth this out. We can only apply a certain amount of sand within the maintenance window, if it was possible, we could apply slightly more straight after tining.
I must stress this is a once a year operation that has to be done at some point in the year. We feel this time of the year is the ideal time as recovery is the quickest it can be. I appreciate golfers will wonder why the greens are done right in the middle of the playing season, to be honest the playing season is a 12 month cycle nowadays. So there is no 'good' time to do it from that point of view. The rest of the year maintenance is planned to be of 'minimal' disruption, however it is ongoing throughout the year. We have had a lot of compliments regarding the course and the greens over the last few years and it all boils down to the work that is put in to them to get them that way and make play on them possible for a 12 month season.
As you can see from the picture the sand we apply every year is beginning to show in the soil profile, the upper portion of the green core is dominated by sand and the roots penetrate deeper below this through the aeration holes. The amount of organic matter in the upper profile is not thick, matted or excessive and it smells aerobic (anaerobic soil smells like rotten eggs).
The full profile shows the problems we face regarding drainage, the lower profile is quite heavy soil which drains very poorly. With no drainage on the majority of greens, this can lead to poor upper surface drainage once the water table rises sufficiently during heavy rain, however during moderate amounts of rain the nature of the sandy top layers can cope and remain firm, the work we are doing can only improve this.
Next week we are starting on holes 10-18, repeating the same process as above. Greens on holes 1-9 will be back in play however will not be regularly cut until the sand on the surface reduces as this causes severe damage to the mowers when cutting in wet conditions. A poor cut due to blunted blades will quickly increase disease.
