Golf Services

Soil test, Nematode Assay, and Water Test: Gathering this data is crucial for a successful and expedient renovation.

Eradicate all existing turf: This targets all live grasses on the greens. It may require multiple treatments with Round-up and fusillade to completely remove the existing turf. Note that fusillade remains active in the soil for 10 to 14 days. This period is also optimal for exterminating any turf slated for removal if you aim to restore the original putting surface areas. This grass must be eradicated; do not try to harvest and reuse it. It’s imperative to destroy it unless you are fumigating. Once removed, there will be no opportunity to regrow it for eradication.

Perform irrigation assay: Start by inspecting all irrigation heads to ensure they are level, properly adjusted, and functioning correctly. Fix any leaks near a green and verify that nozzles are distributing water evenly. This step is essential for a rapid establishment of the turf.

Scalp greens: This step may be unnecessary if no viable turf remains.

Verticut in multiple directions: This is typically performed with standard verticutters. If a particularly thick and gooey layer of thatch exists in the top one to two inches of the profile, a more aggressive approach may be needed. In such cases, Gardens or SISIS dethatchers are more effective. A certain amount of thatch is beneficial, but if the top layer is too dense, additional measures to open up and thin out the area may be required as part of the traditional “no-till” planting method.

Restore original putting surface areas: Over the years, many greens have diminished in size and now is the time for reclamation. This can be achieved by using soil probes to extend from the current edges towards the fringes, rediscovering the original contours. The scale of this task may require subcontracting, depending on the staffsize and the extent of green surface needing restoration.

The method involves a sod cutter to remove the dead turf, which is then replaced with compatible greens mix, tamped down firmly. We recommend blending aeration cores with denser greens mix to fill the removed areas, aligning the new profile with the existing greens. The sequence is: fill, tamp, water, tamp, fill, smooth, water. Now is also the moment to lower any fringe lips that might be creating dams. Like bentgrass, ultradwarf putting greens depend on surface drainage. With significant watering expected over the next month, addressing this issue is crucial.

Aerate the putting surfaces: Employ the largest tines and tightest spacing available to core aerate the dead greens and extract the cores. Fumigation follows if planned.

Fumigation: This step is strongly advised. Skipping is only viable when no nematodes are present, and the greens were exclusively bentgrass without bermudagrass contamination. Even so, we advocate for fumigation. In the absence of methyl bromide, Basamid is now the fumigant of choice. Always refer to the labels for correct application.

Topdress thoroughly: Use an 80/20 mix or pure sand for heavy, slow-draining greens, filling all aeration holes. After dragging and watering, top-dress and water again, ensuring at least a ¼ inch of new sand/mix atop the existing surface. The message seems to be cut offand may continue further.

Water greens: Conduct regular irrigation cycles over several nights before planting to maintain adequate moisture levels.

Apply preplant fertilizer: We will provide a custom blend based on your site’s soil test results.

Sprig: Follow the prescribed grow-in process after sprigging.

Traditional no-till preparation is typically completed in-house within a few days. After planting our sprigs, you can anticipate full coverage within 4-5 weeks and a playable surface within 6-7 weeks, subject to weather, irrigation, and fertilization conditions. The timeframe for the reclamation process, including the removal of old fringes and the replacement of the greens mix, may span several working days, depending on the scope of the area and the number of workers assigned to the task.