We are always up for different ideas and methods of improving conditions at HCC. Today we tested a method of amending the root zone of certain areas on greens. There is a process known as the Drill and Fill. This is a machine that through one step process drills deep holes, usually 3/4" thick and immediately fills the deep channel with sand. This is a very aggressive process to root zone amendment, however necessary in some greens. Today we tried a simpled down version of this process on our upper putting green. There is a perpetual wet spot on the south side of the green that was on our hit list. We first laid down a sheet of plywood with 3/4" holes drilled out ever 4" square. Then with an 18" long auger drill bit we drilled out the root zone material. Once that was cleaned up, we filled all of the holes with topdressing sand. Now, time will tell if the area firms and dries up. If so, we can then continue the process on the few remaining perpetually wet spots on greens (#2, #18, PG). Above is a picture of the finished product.
A week has passed since our annual spring greens aeration. We have had a mixed bag of weather, hot, dry, cold, wet and even frost! These conditions make it challenging to aid in healing, but with the more recent consistent warm temperatures we are seeing solid recovery. We were fortunate to have decent weather to complete the process on time, allowing us to fill all the holes created by the 1/2” hollow tines. As there are some minor depressions within some of the holes we will be beginning our bi-weekly topdressing program early next week. Our team is mowing and rolling our greens daily, while slowly lowering our height of cut to our summer norm. We all know that spring cultural practices are not popular among golfers, but these all important tasks are the building blocks for high performance greens conditions throughout the heart of the golf season. Check out this video produced by the USGA on Aerations effect on putting...
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