Fairway Aerification

After a brief mechanical issue, fairway aerification is back underway, and we expect to finish the remaining holes tomorrow.

Aerification of Bermudagrass fairways offers multiple benefits for the health and quality of the turf. Firstly, it helps alleviate soil compaction, which can occur from foot traffic, equipment, and regular use. By creating small holes or channels in the soil, aerification allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the root zone, promoting better root growth and overall turf health.

Secondly, Bermudagrass tends to develop a dense thatch layer – a build-up of dead grass and organic matter on the soil surface. Aerification helps break down this thatch layer, allowing it to decompose properly and reducing the risk of disease, pests, and waterlogging.

Although aerification can temporarily disrupt the playing surface, the long-term advantages it brings – including improved water infiltration, root development, thatch management, and overall turf vigor – make it a crucial practice for maintaining healthy and high-quality Bermudagrass fairways.

Going forward this practice will be done once in May/June and then likely a second time in July/August.