Greens Aeration

gemorc · 09-02-2011, 08:53 PM

I have often wondered why Source One, The Villages greens keepers, does not roll the greens after aeration. For that matter, do they ever roll the greens? I asked the operator of the aerator machine, he was doing the greens at Cherry Hill, and he stated that rolling would only defeat the purpose of aeration. I thought that answer was ridiculous. On my home course in Michigan, rolling of the greens was a weekly practice. I have often wondered why we can't have smooth rolling greens, that put true.

Taj44 · 09-03-2011, 05:43 AM

Good question - our greenskeeper up north said that the mowing machines rolled the greens to a certain extent, but they did roll the greens periodically, generally in the spring if I remember correctly. Maybe they feel that for down here, mowing is enough - I assume they mow 7 days/week here? And of course you don't get the frost heaving you get up north either. I suppose it also has to do with the composition of the greens. Up north, our country club was in a park, so the underlying base of the greens was an organic material, which may increase the need for rolling as the organics degrade. Down south here I would guess that the greens have a sand base, which should be much more stable.

alemorkam · 09-03-2011, 07:44 AM

When I questioned one of the course managers he said that rolling the greens after ariation would counteract what they are trying to do. They are trying to air and soften the greens, and rolling them would compact them. Dont think so but thats what I was told