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Sand topdressing is one of the most important practices for producing smooth putting surfaces and diluting thatch and organic matter. Despite this fact, some courses only apply sand during aeration or infrequently during the golf season to avoid disrupting golfers and dulling mower blades and bedknives. The consequences of an inadequate topdressing program may not be observed immediately, but eventually there will be significant negative impacts on playability and turf health. This article will provide recommendations on sand selection, topdressing rates and application frequency to help ensure that your topdressing program delivers the best results.

 

Assess Rootzone Physical Characteristics

Before selecting an appropriate sand for topdressing, it is critical to identify the physical characteristics of the existing rootzone material and evaluate the performance of the greens. There are a variety of questions to answer in this process. Is there excess organic matter near the surface? Do the greens contain excess fine material, such as silt and clay? Do the greens hold too much or too little water? Do the greens rut when driving a riding mower or sprayer across the surface? Are the greens too firm or too soft? Is there an abundance of deep ball marks on greens?