Golf Course Superintendent Ready to Answer Any Questions You May Have

[mallrat]

We have the same issue on a few of our collars but ours are from top dressing. Not sure how to get rid of it and kind of far down on the priorities list. Biggest problem is when rolling it will kick you in the wrong direction.

[BNGL]

We have the same issue on a few of our collars but ours are from top dressing. Not sure how to get rid of it and kind of far down on the priorities list. Biggest problem is when rolling it will kick you in the wrong direction.

 

Well you can do the same techniques. You might be best using the first method, just aerify it removing the material is key though. Get it out of there, and the deeper the better

[Carl Spackler3]

Thank you for your time with our questions, est of luck to you

[BNGL]

Thank you for your time with our questions, est of luck to you

 

Not a problem glad to help!

[Hawkeye77]

Here goes:

 

We have a continuing issue every year with what appear to be unusual aeration practices. Holes punched (about tip of index finger diameter), then sand spread around (sometimes with a push broom and/or mower dragging some chain link, lol) and holes rarely all filled and at inconsistent levels, in fact there are some greens where it's easily 25-30% and really obvious, and It is always done late in the year, usually around first part of October. Far northwest Iowa.

 

You can still see the areas in the spring where the grass has grown over the unfilled holes. This year, now August, you can still see the green circles and stick a tee in them and they are are still basically unfilled holes with grass grown over.

 

Is this simply an issue of not filling, is there a better/different practice? I've played plenty of course that have had their greens punched and healed up really quickly, not looking ratty a month later or let alone 9-10 months later. Just seems odd.

[BNGL]

Here goes:

 

We have a continuing issue every year with what appear to be unusual aeration practices. Holes punched (about tip of index finger diameter), then sand spread around (sometimes with a push broom and/or mower dragging some chain link, lol) and holes rarely all filled and at inconsistent levels, in fact there are some greens where it's easily 25-30% and really obvious, and It is always done late in the year, usually around first part of October. Far northwest Iowa.

 

You can still see the areas in the spring where the grass has grown over the unfilled holes. This year, now August, you can still see the green circles and stick a tee in them and they are are still basically unfilled holes with grass grown over.

 

Is this simply an issue of not filling, is there a better/different practice? I've played plenty of course that have had their greens punched and healed up really quickly, not looking ratty a month later or let alone 9-10 months later. Just seems odd.

 

I think part of the issue is just the timing of the aeration, I would imagine that October in NE Iowa it is getting colder and days are getting mighty short? I think it just doesn't have time to recover adequately. Courses are now performing aerifications at times that are not optimal, early spring/late fall, due to economic stresses. People won't play a course that is aerated, the numbers I have seen prove it. So a late season aeration, which is far better than the alternative of not doing, typically avoids times of heavy play.

[thug the bunny]

Why don't you guys plant berries and veggies out there?

[augustgolf]

Why don't you guys plant berries and veggies out there?

Nah....grow a real cash crop

 

Marygeewanna

[thug the bunny]

Why don't you guys plant berries and veggies out there?

Nah....grow a real cash crop

 

Marygeewanna

 

Wouldn't that make POP more of an issue?

 

"Did you find your ball? Nah, but I found some bud...."

[Hawkeye77]

Here goes:

 

We have a continuing issue every year with what appear to be unusual aeration practices. Holes punched (about tip of index finger diameter), then sand spread around (sometimes with a push broom and/or mower dragging some chain link, lol) and holes rarely all filled and at inconsistent levels, in fact there are some greens where it's easily 25-30% and really obvious, and It is always done late in the year, usually around first part of October. Far northwest Iowa.

 

You can still see the areas in the spring where the grass has grown over the unfilled holes. This year, now August, you can still see the green circles and stick a tee in them and they are are still basically unfilled holes with grass grown over.

 

Is this simply an issue of not filling, is there a better/different practice? I've played plenty of course that have had their greens punched and healed up really quickly, not looking ratty a month later or let alone 9-10 months later. Just seems odd.

 

I think part of the issue is just the timing of the aeration, I would imagine that October in NE Iowa it is getting colder and days are getting mighty short? I think it just doesn't have time to recover adequately. Courses are now performing aerifications at times that are not optimal, early spring/late fall, due to economic stresses. People won't play a course that is aerated, the numbers I have seen prove it. So a late season aeration, which is far better than the alternative of not doing, typically avoids times of heavy play.

 

Days are getting shorter for sure and colder, but even with that, would you expect holes to recover if they are empty or half full? I guess that's where I'm having a disconnect but obviously may not understand how it works. Assuming you fill with sand and holes don't have sand in them, for example, how would they recover?

[TexasTurf]

Here goes:

 

We have a continuing issue every year with what appear to be unusual aeration practices. Holes punched (about tip of index finger diameter), then sand spread around (sometimes with a push broom and/or mower dragging some chain link, lol) and holes rarely all filled and at inconsistent levels, in fact there are some greens where it's easily 25-30% and really obvious, and It is always done late in the year, usually around first part of October. Far northwest Iowa.

 

You can still see the areas in the spring where the grass has grown over the unfilled holes. This year, now August, you can still see the green circles and stick a tee in them and they are are still basically unfilled holes with grass grown over.

 

Is this simply an issue of not filling, is there a better/different practice? I've played plenty of course that have had their greens punched and healed up really quickly, not looking ratty a month later or let alone 9-10 months later. Just seems odd.

 

Holes index finger tip size are normal for aerification. Sand spread around is normal and beneficial. Metal chain drag is typically used on fairways and roughs to break up the cores but not on greens. On the greens, have them remove the cores (push them into piles and then shovel them off), then topdress with sand, and fill the holes with sand using a drag mat or brooms. (to have it look really good, topdress with sand, then drag sanded green with a mat, then push broom the greens as if you were mowing them in stripes and the sand will sink to the soil surface. If you don't have a pull mat, then try to convince them to buy a few push brooms from Home Depot/Lowe's and have some guys push them in lines just like they would a greens mower. The sand drops right in.

 

As far as holes not filled, that is a problem. An aerification hole (or any bare area of a green) will not successfully fill back in unless it is filled to at least the height of the healthy green's soil surface height with topdressing. It is ok to topdress the greens again to fill the holes if there are a bunch, or if they are really patchy just spread sand by hand (use a snow shovel or run over it several times with a fertilizer spreader full of sand) where the empty holes are and sweep in in with push brooms, keep adding more sand until the holes are filled. A little to much sand is ok, it will grow through it, to little and it won't grow back at all. Pretty soon the grass that grows back in the filled cores will be the healthiest on the green.

[mallrat]

Would rolling after after the top dressing process help this? (What we do)

[TexasTurf]

Yes. absolutely.

[BNGL]

Would rolling after after the top dressing process help this? (What we do)

 

Absolutely it will. That’s what I have our crew do when we use the top dresser. If I use the drop dresser we will use coco mats.

[Ranger Rick]

I play in South Africa and we predominantly use Kikuyu grass around here but I never hear much of its use anywhere outside of SA. It greens up really nicely in the wet summers but goes pretty dormant in the cold dry winters. However, it then plays firm and fast which can change a course completely and in my opinion is sometimes better. What are your thoughts on Kikuyu and why don't we see more of it internationally?

[razor_1]

I play in South Africa and we predominantly use Kikuyu grass around here but I never hear much of its use anywhere outside of SA. It greens up really nicely in the wet summers but goes pretty dormant in the cold dry winters. However, it then plays firm and fast which can change a course completely and in my opinion is sometimes better. What are your thoughts on Kikuyu and why don't we see more of it internationally?

 

Kikuyu is big in southern California. From just north of LA down to the Mexican border. The only other grass to compare it to in the US is Zoysia. It's not like bermuda and the fescues (bent, etc.). I lived in Hawaii in the 80's and kikuyu was not used. It might be different now. I also played in Thailand and it wasn't used there either. I have never been to Australia, but that seems to be the perfect climate.

[NorthTexasGlfr]

BNGL,

 

Sorry if you have already talked about this and I just overlooked it, but what are your thoughts when it comes to Zoysia greens?

 

Where I play here in North Texas, we have 20 year old bent greens that our Super does a fantastic job with considering the heat we deal with but we know they are going to have to be replaced sooner or later. We just installed Zoysia on one of our 3 practice greens (the other 2 have different types of bent) for some testing. Supposedly this a strain of Zoysia that was developed at Texas A&M and has not been installed anywhere yet. Just curious if you might know anything about it.

[BNGL]

BNGL,

 

Sorry if you have already talked about this and I just overlooked it, but what are your thoughts when it comes to Zoysia greens?

 

Where I play here in North Texas, we have 20 year old bent greens that our Super does a fantastic job with considering the heat we deal with but we know they are going to have to be replaced sooner or later. We just installed Zoysia on one of our 3 practice greens (the other 2 have different types of bent) for some testing. Supposedly this a strain of Zoysia that was developed at Texas A&M and has not been installed anywhere yet. Just curious if you might know anything about it.

 

DALZ 1308. Put it in. Just from the technical aspects of it it might revolutionize golf course agronomy. I’ll post specs later because I don’t know off the top of my head, but it’s good stuff.

 

You can play 36 then get stoned lmfao

[smashdn]

Why plant (sod) the collars in bermuda if you have a zoysia and bent course? Does the zoysia have more of a propensity to overrun the into the bent greens?

[BNGL]

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2khSKEVx--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/rvijbgcgcwqplciu59u9.jpg

 

Rather interesting interview with Jeff Blume, ASGCA.

[BNGL]

Why plant (sod) the collars in bermuda if you have a zoysia and bent course? Does the zoysia have more of a propensity to overrun the into the bent greens?

 

In reference to Bellerive I am not sure. I wasn’t quite sure why myself either, I heard it was in relation to weather.

 

But yes you’re right, ideally I want something that won’t be so aggressive encroaching on the greens surface. Yes we edge it to maintain a pure contamination free surface but still.

 

It could also be a playability issue, maybe the members want a collar that plays really firm and tight, or something that really defines the green surface.

[ArtMBgolf]

Why plant (sod) the collars in bermuda if you have a zoysia and bent course? Does the zoysia have more of a propensity to overrun the into the bent greens?

 

Many courses with bermuda fairways/rough plant zoysia around the bunkers, because zoysia doesn't creep as fast as bermuda.

 

My thought/guess is maybe zoysia is too bouncy to putt off of and a bermuda collar will allow putting from the fringe.

 

Courses do insert a plastic barrier around the green to help stop roots from spreading into the green.

[mallrat]

Little off topic but have you heard of or do you know any course designers that have spent time as a Super?

 

We (the crew) are amazed how many stupid things are done in the name of design that costs a ton in maintenance. A prime example at 1 of our courses is island tee boxes. Just wish more designers paid attention to what goes into maintaining their work of art and should spend at least a year working on a course

[BNGL]

Little off topic but have you heard of or do you know any course designers that have spent time as a Super?

 

We (the crew) are amazed how many stupid things are done in the name of design that costs a ton in maintenance. A prime example at 1 of our courses is island tee boxes. Just wish more designers paid attention to what goes into maintaining their work of art and should spend at least a year working on a course

 

Lol I asked that of Fazio when he stopped by to look at some work we did at his behest. A lot understand modern agronomy, or have some background in it. But at the end of the day, his job is to make it look good, not take care of the property. He has received the Old Tom Morris Award though, which is from the GCSAA and is the highest honor presented.

[finleysg]

I am reading Tommy's Honor, and was interested to read that Tom Morris discover the benefits of top dressing. Made me wonder, who discovered that aeration is good for turf? Was it a golf discovery, or maybe a university research thing that the golf industry picked up on?

[smashdn]

Little off topic but have you heard of or do you know any course designers that have spent time as a Super?

 

Kyle Harris is a shaper of renown that is now a super at Streamsong. Several guys started as shapers and went on to become designers in their own right.

[Dancin]

Little off topic but have you heard of or do you know any course designers that have spent time as a Super?

 

We (the crew) are amazed how many stupid things are done in the name of design that costs a ton in maintenance. A prime example at 1 of our courses is island tee boxes. Just wish more designers paid attention to what goes into maintaining their work of art and should spend at least a year working on a course

 

Doak and his guys often talk about decisions they made to reduce maintenance costs. He's one who definitely takes maintenance costs into account.

[mallrat]

Little off topic but have you heard of or do you know any course designers that have spent time as a Super?

 

We (the crew) are amazed how many stupid things are done in the name of design that costs a ton in maintenance. A prime example at 1 of our courses is island tee boxes. Just wish more designers paid attention to what goes into maintaining their work of art and should spend at least a year working on a course

 

Lol I asked that of Fazio when he stopped by to look at some work we did at his behest. A lot understand modern agronomy, or have some background in it. But at the end of the day, his job is to make it look good, not take care of the property. He has received the Old Tom Morris Award though, which is from the GCSAA and is the highest honor presented.

 

Funny you say that because our Fazio course requires a little over 1/2 of time we spend maintaining our Nicklaus course (and the Fazio course has 8 acres of bunkers)

[GTgolf]

BNGL,

 

Sorry if you have already talked about this and I just overlooked it, but what are your thoughts when it comes to Zoysia greens?

 

Where I play here in North Texas, we have 20 year old bent greens that our Super does a fantastic job with considering the heat we deal with but we know they are going to have to be replaced sooner or later. We just installed Zoysia on one of our 3 practice greens (the other 2 have different types of bent) for some testing. Supposedly this a strain of Zoysia that was developed at Texas A&M and has not been installed anywhere yet. Just curious if you might know anything about it.

 

Club in Atlanta just installed Zoysia greens about 2-3 months ago. First in the state for sure.

 

Look up Crooked Creek CC. They have an agronomy Facebook page that’s fascinating with pictures, etc of the entire process. I think they plan to open in October.

[Shilgy]

Little off topic but have you heard of or do you know any course designers that have spent time as a Super?

 

We (the crew) are amazed how many stupid things are done in the name of design that costs a ton in maintenance. A prime example at 1 of our courses is island tee boxes. Just wish more designers paid attention to what goes into maintaining their work of art and should spend at least a year working on a course

Do you mean the island tee boxes like here in Phoenix? We are limited to 90 acres of grass. That is why they are used here.