Compaction Relief

After months of waiting, the parts for the deep tine aerator finally arrived.  We were waiting on new tine holders so we could use smaller diameter tines.  We made our way through the front nine and the chipping green yesterday and this morning.  We will work our way through the back nine over the course of another 2 day window.  It might not be this week due to the weather we are expecting.  The goal of this job is to help relieve compaction that is significant below the root zone.  This will hopefully improve some water movement over the next few months and aid in deeper root growth next spring.  We will do this job again in the spring at some point when conditions are favorable.  Freezing and thawing will be more of an impact to putting quality than the holes we just made.  I made a few 10 footers this morning just to see how the ball rolled.  I'm very encouraged with our new machine and the impact it can make with minimal disruption to play. 

The new tine holders (where the tine attaches to the machine)
will hold more tines and allow for a slightly smaller tine
diameter.  This will make it more effective and be less disruptive.