Superintendents are always finding creative ways to improve routine maintenance practices without adding cost or complexity. One example of this is spraying greens by pulling a walk-behind sprayer rather than pushing it. The benefit is obvious: it prevents the operator from walking, wheeling or dragging a hose through the product that was just applied.
The same concept can be applied to topdressing after core aeration. Superintendent Dean Piller at Cordova Bay Golf Course in British Columbia has been topdressing “backward” for years, and he is not alone. Instead of driving forward across an aerated green and placing the full weight of the topdresser on open holes before they are filled, the operator backs across the surface and applies sand in advance of the tires. This allows sand to partially fill the holes before they are driven over.
That small change can make a meaningful difference. One of the challenges of core aeration is that open channels can partially collapse from the weight of equipment before sand is incorporated. Driving across a freshly aerated green can feel like driving on Swiss cheese because the surface has lost density and integrity and it can’t handle the weight. When holes partially collapse or close before they are backfilled, it limits sand incorporation and makes it harder to achieve clean, consistent sand channels.
Hand-filling aeration holes was historically done at some courses and is still preferred in certain situations, but it is extremely labor intensive and time consuming. Topdressing backward offers a more practical middle ground. The potential for better sand incorporation and cleaner aeration results without additional materials or major changes to the program is something worth considering.
This approach will not work everywhere. Tight greens with limited turning space around them or using a tow-behind topdresser makes backing across the surface difficult or impractical. Operator skill is also important. This technique requires patience, awareness and the right person behind the wheel.
West Region Agronomists:
Brian Whitlark, regional director, West Region – bwhitlark@usga.org
Ross Niewola, agronomist – rniewola@usga.org
Heather Schapals, agronomist – hschapals@usga.org