Verticutting and topdressing greens

Verticutting and topdressing greens is done every two weeks during the playing season (March-September) to keep the greens smooth and firm. We try to do it on a Monday since the course doesn't open until 11:00, which gives us time to finish before play.

A verticut unit is shown above. The unit is 23 inches wide, and there are 3 units mounted on a riding mower. The blades are set about 1/8 inch below cutting height, and are spaced 1/2 inch apart.

The green is verticut two directions, usually right and left, or straight and across. The units actually cut small grooves in the turf removing excess plant material, and give a place for the sand to go when it's applied. We verticut to prevent the greens from getting puffy, and it keeps the golf ball rolling true. Glendale has Annual Bluegrass greens with over 50 different types present in each green. Some of those types grow denser and faster than the others. When we verticut on a consistent schedule, it keeps the greens much more consistent.

The photo above shows #12 green after it has been verticut two directions. It needs to me mowed to pick up the excess material left on the surface prior to sanding.

This photo shows the grooves cut two directions in the green prior to sanding.

The greens are then sanded with a small topdresser that applies a light and even coat of sand. Sanding is required to keep the surface smooth and firm. During heavy play, there is a lot of foot traffic on each green. When greens are not sanded, the surface gets very "tracked up" from footprints, and they become very bumpy. We all know what it's like to putt on bumpy greens!

After sanding, the greens are drug with a brush unit to force the sand down into the grooves left by the verticutters. When the dragging is complete, the greens are ready for play. There is no adverse effect to putting after a light sanding. The ball will roll straight and true, and green speed is not affected.