fertilize the greens before or during aeration so that the grass grows rapidly through the topdressing sand and fills the gaps created by aeration .
Why can ’ t we skip it ? Skipping aeration “ just this once ” may seem appealing when the weather is good and golf season is in full swing , but missing aeration events can allow unseen problems to develop , causing greater disruption in the future . If the thatch layer is allowed to build without periodically being broken up and diluted with sand , it can turn into a dense sponge that traps water near the surface . This leads to soft , bumpy playing conditions and greens that are increasingly vulnerable to damage from disease and traffic . Staying on top of aeration requirements means a less-disruptive aeration schedule and less risk of poor playing conditions .
Putting green aeration can be a painful process for golfers and superintendents alike , but the benefits have been proven by scientific research and decades of experience . A week or two of bumpy conditions can be aggravating when the weather is perfect , but it ’ s a fair trade for healthy greens and great playing conditions in the months and years to come .
By :
Jake Valintino
Superintendent
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