Verticutting and Topdressing

If you played golf today you noticed that we verticut and topdressed the greens. The topdressing was not the typical form that is done in conjunction with aerification, but rather it was a dusting of sand. Our Poa Annua greens are verticut and dusted with sand on a frequent basis during periods of active growth to promote surface trueness and firmness.

The golfer controversy over greens trueness and firmness has been ongoing for many years. The following quote from the May 1947 United States Golf Association’s “Timely Turf Topics” illustrates the persistent focus on firm and true greens:
Putting surfaces should be firm to avoid foot printing and should be resilient so that a properly played shot will hold, but should be sufficiently solid so that a poorly-played shot will roll over. The surface should be smooth and true as a billiard table. Density of the turf should be so great that individual grass blades are crowded to a true vertical position. “Graininess,” “sponge” or “mat” destroy the accuracy and Fun in golf. Governing factors include: choice of grass, soil texture, drainage and aeration, fertility level, and watering practices.

Not much has changed in the desire of golfers for a firm and true greens surfaces since 1947. Today quality greens are based up on how true the ball rolls and if the green is the proper firmness to accept a well executed shot. Greens are also graded upon speed. But talking about green speed deserves a whole separate posting, so we will save that till summer.

The process of verticutting and topdress is labor intensive and merits some explaination:

First the green is veritcut in two directions. Then it is mowed with a walking greens mower. The sand is then spread on the green with walk behind type fertilizer spreaders. Finally the sand is brushed into the canopy of the turf using push brooms. The greens are irrigated that evening to help settle more sand as to avoid picking it up with the greens mowers the next mowing.