I'm afraid to say it's that TINE of year again... apologies for the early maintenance, however because of the good dry weather we decided to bring it forward a week to hopefully achieve better results.
There are 3 steps to our greens maintenance :
I know how frustrating it is when coming to putt on a hollow tined green, especially after hitting the green in regulation ;). You're probably thinking, the greens were in mint condition..... why would they do that?
Step 1 : Hollow tine and clean up
There are 3 steps to our greens maintenance :
- Cutting out temporary greens
- Clearing off any debris
- Cutting around all pop ups (irrigation sprinkler heads) and the removal of the cup/flag.
I know how frustrating it is when coming to putt on a hollow tined green, especially after hitting the green in regulation ;). You're probably thinking, the greens were in mint condition..... why would they do that?
Step 1 : Hollow tine and clean up
Here's why
It relieves surface compaction, encourages new root growth, increases rooting depth, improves nutrient uptake, reduces the build up of thatch and black layer below the surface, improves the infiltration rate of water into the soil, improves drainage, improve gaseous exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
Effects of Black Layer
One of our main aims this year is to reduce the amount black layer.
Once development occurs drainage dramatically decreases in the soil. As the layer increases,the pores in the soil become filled with the hydrogen sulphide gas which is poisonous to the grass plant roots.
Summary: it causes bad drainage, is toxic to our greens and settles in the soil structure from 2-3 inches deep...
We've gone down 4 inches, hello fresh drainage and bye bye black layer....
It relieves surface compaction, encourages new root growth, increases rooting depth, improves nutrient uptake, reduces the build up of thatch and black layer below the surface, improves the infiltration rate of water into the soil, improves drainage, improve gaseous exchange between the soil and atmosphere.
Effects of Black Layer
One of our main aims this year is to reduce the amount black layer.
Once development occurs drainage dramatically decreases in the soil. As the layer increases,the pores in the soil become filled with the hydrogen sulphide gas which is poisonous to the grass plant roots.
Summary: it causes bad drainage, is toxic to our greens and settles in the soil structure from 2-3 inches deep...
We've gone down 4 inches, hello fresh drainage and bye bye black layer....
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Hollow Tining is a pain to the golfer, I know, however our greens are fantastic at the moment and to keep them up there with Paul Woodham's (STRI Turfgrass Agronomist) quote "Those that would grace even the most prestigious venues " this important prep has to take place. 'There's no gain without pain', as they say.
Step 2.. Top dress when its dry to help the brushing in stage
Step 2.. Top dress when its dry to help the brushing in stage
What are the benefits of using Top Dressing?
Step 3.. Brushing in
- Helps to maintain a smooth, true running surface
- Improves mowing efficiency
- Helps prevent the build‐up of thatch
- Enables control of organic matter content, water infiltration and aeration
- Essential in the maintenance of rootzone depth
- Improves germination in over‐seeded areas
- Improves or sustains appropriate soil texture
Step 3.. Brushing in
Our new brush.
This demonstrates how effective it actually is, if you look at the picture on the left you will notice that the brushes are spinning in the opposite direction thus making the sand flick up giving it more chance of dropping in the holes. The objective is to fill all the holes as well as we can. All tine holes aren't completely filled up yet which you might notice, which is why we'll keep topping them up little and often over the next couple of days to insure the best possible playing surface during this green maintenance period.
This demonstrates how effective it actually is, if you look at the picture on the left you will notice that the brushes are spinning in the opposite direction thus making the sand flick up giving it more chance of dropping in the holes. The objective is to fill all the holes as well as we can. All tine holes aren't completely filled up yet which you might notice, which is why we'll keep topping them up little and often over the next couple of days to insure the best possible playing surface during this green maintenance period.
