when does indian bayou golf course "aerate" greens

For year-round warm-season grasses, that probably means spring and fall and definitely summer, "when the grass is growing most actively," he said. "In the north, spring and the tail end of summer are ideal for cool season grasses." Courses also try to schedule greens aerating around big events and vice-versa.

Full Answer

When is grass growing in the North?

How many different types of aerating are there?

How long does it take for a green to recover after core removal?

Do you putt on greens that have been aerated?

Do golf courses send out alerts?

Can you play rough greens after aerating?

Should golfers know before they practice?

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How long does it take aerated greens to get back to normal?

Several variables here - it depends upon the type of greens (the grass), to the weather and soil, to the type of aeration ... there's several different kinds - everything from the half inch holes, to little knives that just makes little slits, to the current cutting edge ... composed of ultra high pressure water injected through the soil, that creates very small holes, still relieves the soil ...

5 Things Every Golfer Should Know About Aeration - USGA

No golfers are ever thrilled to arrive at a course, only to find that they will be putting on greens that have just been aerated. The USGA’s Green Section has been helping golf courses deliver the best possible playing conditions for nearly 100 years.

Aerated Greens: How long to return to 'normal' play?

Last week I went to play at my local muni and they had aerated all the greens that day and putting was, well a bloody nightmare! It was like putting on concrete covered in gravel. I think I had three one putts all day and had three putts from 12ft etc... How long does it take after being aerated ...

Topdressing techniques (Turfgrass management) - Golf Course Industry

Superintendents find success with methods beyond the book

What is a golf course aeration?

Aeration is designed to basically let golf course grass breath and stretch out a little bit. It's designed to control what's known as "organic matter," dying grass and grass parts, while loosening compacted soil and allowing water to flow better underground.

How long does it take to recover from a golf course aeration?

It usually takes a golf course two weeks to recovery from properly done golf course aeration.

How does aeration help golf course grass?

Aeration is designed to basically let golf course grass breath and stretch out a little bit. It's designed to control what's known as "organic matter," dying grass and grass parts, while loosening compacted soil and allowing water to flow better underground. By having compacted, poor-performing or dead grass parts in the soil, the healthy turf can struggle to grow and develop strong roots. Compacted soil, created from foot traffic, weather and other factors, reduces oxygen levels in the soil and can inhibit water getting to turf roots. All of this compacting and organic matter can also make for a softer golf course because it's unable to drain water and push new turf to the surface.

Why do golf course superintendents aerate?

So, golf course superintendents aerate so you have a better golf course. They can do that with a variety of methods, but the general idea is to either make punch marks in the soil with rolling spikes or using equipment to create varying size soil cores that are pulled out of the ground. These holes allow for excess moisture to evaporate and better chemistry in the soil to promote healthy turf growth.

Why is aerated greens important?

So great, we know that aeration is important, but how can we keep it from ruining our scores on the green? Aerated greens provide a unique challenge for golfers because they contrast the typically smooth and predictable motion of the ball. For example, if you dropped a ball straight down on a normal green you wouldn’t expect the ball to roll very far from where it landed. However, on an aerated green, if your ball lands on the side of a dirt core that has been removed it can travel in a completely different direction from the predicted ball flight.

Why do golf courses aerate?

Golf courses aerate their greens for four major reasons, all of which affect turf health. Aeration is usually performed in order to remove organic matter, decompress the soil, improve the drainage of the soil, and help promote root growth. Without aeration, organic matter (i.e. bacteria and other plants) build up on the surface of the turf.

How does venting aeration work?

During the playing season, courses usually choose to do venting aeration which is basically placing a bunch of small needles into the ground in order to break up the turf. This process is done throughout the year and is usually does not affect ball roll or playing conditions at all after a couple days.

How long does it take for a green to recover from aerated greens?

Great advice about hitting the ball low and a bit harder on aerated greens. Normally it takes about a week for the greens to recover to.llayable conditions and 2 to 3 weeks to be back to normal, during that time I work on my GIR percentage and focus less on my short game and score.

What is core aeration?

Core aeration compared to a normal green. Well, along with venting aeration, many courses may choose an aeration strategy that is much more aggressive once play dies down for the year. This is known as core aeration. When you mention aerated greens, core aeration is what comes to the mind of most golfers because it almost always results in ...

How to make the best aerated greens?

As we mentioned above, having the ball land on the side of a removed core basically leaves the result of the shot to chance depending on the angle of impact the ball has with the hole. By keeping your ball flight low you have a higher chance of rolling the ball over each hole which will help keep your ball on a more predictable path towards the hole.

How to keep your ball low?

By keeping your ball flight low you have a higher chance of rolling the ball over each hole which will help keep your ball on a more predictable path towards the hole. Besides keeping the ball low, hitting the ball slightly harder on chips and putts will help make up for the speed that is lost when the ball hits each bump. ...

How often do golf courses aerate?

1 to 3 times a year. A high percentage of golf courses will aerate a minimum of 1 time per year with most courses completing the aeration process 2-3 times per year based on the type of greens and the growing seasons in the location of the golf course.

What is the recovery time of aerated greens?

It can take up to several weeks for the greens to fully recover, however, after the first week or so, the greens start to play relatively fair and most golfers will not mind. The most difficult putting conditions are during that first week.

Why is aeration important in golf?

Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter – i.e., decaying roots and grass stems – relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage. If organic matter becomes too thick, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions. Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces.

Why do golf courses need aeration holes?

Aeration holes filled with sand topdressing will allow excess water from the soil to evaporate, promote root development and improve drainage. The word aeration stimulates negative emotions for many golfers. It may come as a surprise, but golf course superintendents also dislike aeration. After all, the last person who wants to disrupt ...

What is the USGA?

The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it. Why Do Golf Courses.

Is aeration good for greens?

Aeration can create short-lived disruption but it is a highly beneficial program that keeps greens healthy and playing well.

Why fill holes with sand after aeration?

Following aeration, especially on greens, filling each of the aeration holes with sand will promote quicker recovery and improve ball roll. There is no denying that surface disruption occurs during aeration and that greens will play differently following aeration.

Why is aeration performed?

Weather plays a large role in turf recovery. Thus, performing aeration when the weather favors turf growth leads to quicker recovery. Additionally, aeration is stressful on plants.

Why is core aeration important?

Core aeration is critical to turf's health and performance. Aerating when grass is at peak health will encourage quick recovery and minimize playing surface disruption. Many golf courses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region consider mid-August an indicator that aeration is upon us. Depending on location, desired turf species and golf calendar, ...

When is the best time to aerate bentgrass?

The range of ideal weather varies depending on the desired turf species. In other words, if your course is promoting bentgrass, mid-August to early September is a good time to aerate. The warm days and cool nights of early fall favor bentgrass growth, ...

Can sand be used to fill aeration holes?

However, effects on playability as a result of aeration can be minimized if aeration channels are completely filled with sand. Ultimately, applying enough topdressing sand to fill aeration holes will result in a smoother post-aeration surface that recovers quicker than a surface with open aeration holes.

When is grass growing in the North?

"In the north, spring and the tail end of summer are ideal for cool season grasses.". Courses also try to schedule greens aerating around big events and vice-versa.

How many different types of aerating are there?

First of all, there are probably as many as five different types of aerating practices, according to Adam Moeller, director of education for the USGA Green Section. The least invasive small-tine aerating hardly disrupts the playing surface at all and is usually very playable immediately afterwards, but its effectiveness is certainly debatable.

How long does it take for a green to recover after core removal?

That improves drainage and air exchange for the plants. It can take up to a couple of weeks for the greens to recover, but these procedures are critical for the long-term health of the greens.

Do you putt on greens that have been aerated?

Most golfers know the importance or aerating greens. Even if they don't understand why, they know it's necessary. Still, no one likes to putt on greens that have been recently aerated, especially a deep-tine aeration with core removal and top dressing. Trying to putt over holes is frustrating at best, and often golfers who do play in such ...

Do golf courses send out alerts?

As all of us have become more tied to our phones and computers, and facilities have extensive emailing lists, many courses send out alerts to their regular customers, letting them know when greens are going to be aerated. And most courses will inform golfers who reserve a tee time by phone if greens have been recently aerated. (It saves a lot of potential grief for shop personnel later).

Can you play rough greens after aerating?

Golfers looking to save a little money on green fees who don't mind rough greens would be well advised to check out course websites and get on mailing lists. Sometimes, the greens are surprisingly playable following an aggressive aerating, especially if you wait a few days after the procedure when the maintenance crews have had a chance to "whip" the sand off the greens and run the mowers and rollers.

Should golfers know before they practice?

Letting golfers know before they show up to the course should probably be the minimum practice, and most courses are trying to do that. How courses and clubs communicate this to golfers varies, of course.