Deep Tine and Verticutting of Fairways

As the winter begins at Kinloch, the staff has started some of the usual cultural practices necessary to create ideal playing conditions throughout the growing months.  This begins on the fairways with a deep tine aerification.  We use a tractor implement to create small holes in the fairways that extend 6-9 inches down into the soil surface.  This process is completed to ensure water movement though the soil profile.  Over the years, this process has provided the playing conditions that our members have come to expect, including a reduction in recovery time after large storms.  Shown below is the process being completed on number 4 fairway.

After the completion of the deep tine, we begin the process of verticutting the existing turf.  During the season, regular mowing of the fairway is necessary to ensure proper playing height.  While this process removes leaf blades extending in an upward direction, many will continue to grow in a lateral direction, and normal mowers are unable to cut these blades.  The verticutting process will mow this section of the turf by spinning many small blades in a vertical direction.  Regular verticutting will promote a reduction in internode length, causing a denser stand of turf.  The process is quite aggressive, therefore it is only done a few times a year.  Regular completion of the practice has allowed for the density that our members experience in the fairways all through the playing season.

In order to allow for immediate return of play, the Kinloch staff will finalize the process with a light fairway mowing.  While this process will mow any upward extending leaf blades, it is primarily used to roll the previously verticut fairway back to the previously existing condition.