What is top dressing?

Top dressing is the application of sandy materials to a turf surface (i.e. greens, tees and fairways)

 

Why top dress?

Top dressing has many benefits, which include smoothing out the surface from ball marks and divots etc, filling of aeration holes and dilution of thatch in the maintenance program. Typically we top dress after every time we open up the surface (hollow core, verticut, scarify etc). We will however, topdress very lightly in between these operations as part of our maintenance program (every one to two weeks)

 

How do we top dress?

Typically we top dress using a machine which is drawn behind a small tractor, and work the sand in with a brush/matt.

 

 

Verticutting

 

What is verticutting?

Verticutting is a mechanical vertical cutting operation used on fine turf surfaces.

 

Why verticut?

Verticutting is a light operation, and helps to stop the build up and accumulation of thatch, mainly on greens. This process cuts thin lines into the grass and creates great channels to replenish with sand. By doing this frequently (every one to three weeks) it keeps a good dilution of sand within the profile.

 

How do we verticut?

Verticutting is carried out using a standard greens triple. We have designated units which replace the normal cutting units directly, and the grass is collected and taken away. We will always follow up with a light sand dressing afterwards.

 

 

Scarifying

 

What is scarifying?

Scarifying is a mechanical vertical cutting operation which cuts deep channels into the playing surface.

 

Why scarify?

Scarifying is a much more vigorous operation compared to verticutting. The intention is to remove thatch (not stop the accumulation), and replenish with sand. The blades are set further apart, are thicker and cut much deeper than verticutters. We would typically do this operation one or two times per growing season.

 

How do we scarify?

Scarification is carried out using a standard greens triple. We have designated units which replace the normal cutting units directly, and the grass is collected and taken away. We will always follow up with a heavy sand dressing afterwards.

 

 

Hollow coring

 

What is hollow coring?

Hollow coring is a mechanical aeration process which takes plugs from the playing surface

 

Why hollow core?

There are many benefits from hollow coring, which include, good gas-air exchange, removal of thatch, improving drainage, soil exchange and better root development.

 

How do we hollow core?

Hollow coring is carried out using an independent machine, fitted with appropriate sized tines. The cores will be pulled from the green using this machine, we will then collect them and dispose of them. We will always follow up with a very heavy sand dressing to fill all of the holes back up to full capacity and smooth out the surface again. This will then be followed up with brushing/dragging. This process is generally carried out one or two times per year.

 

 

Verti draining

 

What is verti draining?

This is a mechanical process which punches holes on the playing surface.

 

Why verti drain?

The main reasons for verti draining are to relieve compaction (from foot traffic and machinery traffic), improve drainage and improve root development.

 

How do we verti drain?

Verti draining is carried out using an independent implement which connects to our compact tractor. The operation allows holes to be punched to a depth of up to 25cm. If we verti drain while the course is still open in the autumn, then we may lightly roll the greens to get a little bit of smoothness back for play. If the course is closed when we verti drain, then we may not roll and just leave the greens over winter. We usually do this job once per year in the autumn.