WARNING- Palmer greens top-seeded
 

Played Palmer, Riley to Cherry Hill on Thursday, Jan 14. Greens have been top-seeded (think that is the proper term) with sand all over them. I cannot find notice of this anywhere on GOLF THE VILLAGES but maybe I am not looking in the right place. Anyway I would avoid Palmer until greens have a chance to recover.

Most all of the greens now are getting “top-dressed”.

Top dressing is proper maintenance of the greens. If done properly it will work it's way into the soil in a matter of days.

They should have top dressed greens rate

Played yesterday....that was not "top-seeded".......is was top dressed, a fine dusting of the greens, not detremental to play and will disappear with in a day or so. The greens played a little slow but I don't think ti was due to the top dressing, instead to a little longer cutting (probably to help maintain the green during the slow growing season).

I don't recall seeing green top dressed with out being aerified as much as I see it here in The Villages. It seems that they top dress a lot to cover up bare spots.

Aerifying reduces compaction which allows water and nutrients to get to the roots. It also prevents the roots from being squashed. But removing compacted soil and organic material and replacing it with sand more space is created below the surface. Top dressing without aerifying only adds material. One the sand is absorbed, it may smooth the surface a bit but I don't understand how it helps the plants.

IMHO, green fees should be reduced when greens are aerified, top dressed or there are temporary greens.

I’m sure Golf Admin. would love to hear your suggestions; 352-753-3396. Let everyone know when they can expect the lower rates.

I'm sure that they wouldn't and will never lower rates.

Probably not. I’ve been off the reservation a few times this winter and played; the places I’ve been to, the prices may be a few dollars lower but the courses are really no better than what we have here.