A warm, dry start to the spring would have been welcomed by all, but unfortunately these conditions are not what we’ve experienced. Below-average temperatures in parts of the central U.S. have not only created unfavorable conditions for golfers, these low temperatures have also limited turf growth and slowed down aeration recovery.
Consistent, warm temperatures are all that is needed, but Mother Nature is in the driver’s seat and will determine when the weather will finally get things growing. In the meantime, questions or even demands may circulate around why fertilizer is not simply applied to promote recovery. The issue is soil temperatures are still low – not that nutrients are lacking. Applying additional nutrients will not stimulate growth of dormant turf. In fact, applying too much fertilizer when the turf is not actively growing can waste money, have a negative environmental impact and create an undesirable surge of growth once more favorable conditions arrive.
If recovery is slow, be cautious with how often rolling is performed. When topdressing sand is still present on the surface, and dormant or slowly growing turf is exposed to mechanical wear, the abrasion can result in turf injury. The importance of being patient cannot be overemphasized. Any setbacks experienced at this time of year will only result in golfers experiencing putting conditions that do not meet expectations.
Aeration is one of the most important agronomic practices performed every year. If recovery seems slow, it’s usually not because something was done improperly, but rather an uncontrollable external factor, such as below-average temperatures. Once the weather cooperates, the putting greens will recover and the playing conditions everyone desires will be experienced.
The USGA Green Section video, "Golf Course Aeration – The (W)hole Story," is great resource for a general overview of the aeration process. Also, the infographic, "The Ins and Outs of Aeration," can be used to help educate golfers on this important agronomic practice.
Central Region Agronomists:
Paul Jacobs, agronomist – pjacobs@usga.org
Zach Nicoludis, agronomist – znicoludis@usga.org