Aeration

Aeration is the most important turf management operation to undertake. The correct balance of aeration treatments will alleviate compaction, there by improving drainage & ensuring deep root development . The surfaces will become firm during periods of wet weather & turf will be more tolerant of drought in dry weather.
Aeration also effects of other maintenance tasks, e.g. Fertiliser & water applications. Regular summer aeration will ensure that water will be able to penetrate into the soil better, this way, water is more likely to reach the Turfgrass roots & less is wasted in run off or evaporation.
Increasing the air in the soil profile increases the amount of beneficial soil microbes, which are important in nutrient cycling ( I.e. the nitrogen cycle) & the digestion of thatch. As for an inland course based on heavy soil which should average of 50,000 rounds of golf per year require more aeration.

THE POSITIVE EFFECT AERATION HAS ON PLAYING QUALITY

• promotes firmer surfaces
• promotes greater uniformity
• reduces disease scarring
• improves drainage
• extends playing season

AGRONOMIC EFFECT

• relieves compaction
• promotes deep root development
• promotes strong healthy turf
• increase microbial activity, helping to digest thatch
• promotes finer grasses
• reduces fertiliser & irrigation input
• increases infiltration of rain & irrigation
• minimises thatch accumulation

Aeration seen as a package of treatments i.e scarification, hollow core, spiking followed by top dressing.
Program’s are to improve the oxygen balance of the root zone, to optimise sward health & improve drainage, different forms of aeration will be required at various depths to achieve these objectives,
Aeration must be considered a all year round operation, with some minimally disruptive aeration being achieved during playing season. The correct timing of aeration will ensure the maximum benefits of the aeration are achieved, at the same time least disruption to golf.

TOP DRESSING
Top dressing should be undertaken in conjunction with aeration, scarification or verticutting to ensure the fresh material is intergrated into the soil profile. Failure to do this may result in layering the soil profile. Which affects moisture movement & root development .