Needle tine season

It is the time of year that we solid tine the greens for summer health and we have been doing it for several years. The last two weeks we have done 1/3 of the course each Monday, and today we finish up the last group.

Continually breaking the surface of the greens is a great way to ensure healthy turf. Oxygen can more easily enter the system; the soil cannot seal off and so water is allowed to penetrate. Our last aeration was back in mid-February, so it is time to poke holes again.

At this time of the year, we are not looking to remove material from the greens with hollow tines. We also do not want to be very disruptive to the surface. So, we opt for ¼” diameter, solid “needle” tines. Solid tines do not pull any material back out when they exit the green; they only make a hole. And the needle tines are so small that, at the surface, the hole is barely noticeable, especially once we run over the green once with a roller. But the channel stays open below the surface and the turf continues to benefit.

This week we will complete the last 6 greens, which will finish one cycle across all the putting greens. We will take the week of July 3^rd off due to the holiday, then start one more round across the greens again the final 3 weeks of July, working on Mondays. At that point we are only two weeks from our scheduled summer aeration and another opportunity to vent the greens.

Not all “aerations” are created equal; we don’t have to cause enormous disruption, remove material, and close the course. Using needle-tines during the season allows us to minimize the footprint but maximize the benefits.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Golf carts must always remain on cart paths once past the green and white posts, through the next tee complex. This is not weather dependent!

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org