Aerifying Special
Dear Summerfield Crossing Members & Guests,
I hope this message finds you well. An important action in maintaining exceptional putting and playing surfaces is aerification. The Club aerifies putting surfaces two, sometimes three times per year. Aerification is a short-term disruption with long-term benefits. Please take a moment to review the informational items below.
We aerate to improve, not annoy
Putting greens receive more traffic than any other playing surface. The aeration process helps relieve the compaction caused by traffic. It also helps create a firm, smooth putting surface by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turf roots.
Scratch the thatch
Thatch is a layer of old plant material that accumulates at the soil surface. If thatch on putting greens is not diluted by aeration and topdressing, it will act like a sponge, holding water near the surface. Excessive thatch creates soft playing conditions, inconsistent green speeds and increases the risk of disease.
Timing is everything
Do you ever wonder why aeration is commonly performed when putting greens are playing their best? Aerating when the grass is healthy and actively growing minimizes damage and allows for a quick return to optimal playing conditions. Aerating at other times may be more convenient for the golf schedule, but it lengthens recovery times, increases the risk of an invasion of weeds and could cause lasting damage.
It’s not as bad as you think
It may seem like there are more holes than grass on the putting surfaces after they’ve been aerated, but this is an illusion. Typically, aeration affects less than 10 percent of a putting surface.
Sand is part of the plan
A heavy application of topdressing sand following aeration may appear to make putting greens less playable. However, filling aeration holes with sand actually helps create a smoother surface. Sand also creates channels for water and air movement, dilutes thatch, and helps putting greens recover from aeration more quickly.
Thank you for taking the time to understand the aerification process and its importance. Aerification will being Monday, August 8th. During this time we will be offering a Summerfield Crossing Aerifying Special Monday, August 8th – Sunday, August 14th.
50% off all Greens Fees!
Monday, August 8th – Sunday, August 14th
