Topdressing Greens

Topdressing Greens is one of the most important cultural practices golf course superintendents can do to ensure smooth firm putting greens.  The procedure consists of spreading a light layer of sand or sand/peat combination on the putting green followed by brushing, matting or irrigation to incorporate the sand. The picture on the left shows a light layer of sand disappears after it is matted in.
Topdressing should be done every two to three weeks during the growing season. Some of the benefits of incorporating sand into the greens include diluting or preventing thatch from accumulating, smoothing out the surface by filling in bumps and depressions, and firming up the surface. Golfers may perceive this practice as an inconvenience but believe me the benefits are worth it. The best golf courses in the world all have a very regimented topdressing program.
Until next time.
David

I'm Back and It's Dry!

First of all I want to apologize for not posting a blog for one month! Combine a week's holidays, getting busy and some procrastination and here we are. What a difference three weeks make. We have not had significant rainfall in since the end of June and the turf is showing the stress. The picture on the left is Hole #2 at the East Course. The rough before the fairway receives no water from the irrigation system and has gone dormant. Under most circumstances the turf will go dormant for some time and bounce back when the rains return. The irrigation system has been working overtime to keep up with the demand. We have also been doing a lot of hand watering. If it doesn't rain soon most of the rough will go dormant and there will be visible dry spots on areas of the course that do get irrigated. Nothing replaces natural rainfall. The good thing is the water table is still quite high and there has been no talk about water restrictions. Yet.
Until next time,
David