2026 Fall Putting Surface Aeration

 We have communicated on many occasions our strategy for aeration on our what are now our 5 year old re-surfced putting greens. This strategy is to conduct small hole non disruptive aeration strategies on the putting surfaces frequently throughout the year. So far this year we have used the the very discreet and extremely effective Air2G2 process 8 times throughout the year on closed Mondays. As the pictures below depict, using an Air2G2 machine injects blasts of air deep into the putting surface fractureing tight sand layers allowing bentgrass roots to stretch deeper, create more root mass and the ability to dry down the surfaces more readily leading to better performance in the way of firmness and subsequent ball roll.

The beauty of using the Air2G2 is it does not disrupt the surfaces at all yet aids in creating a healthy rootzone deep in the green core. We are seeing results in rooting depth and mass and  plan to continue this process for the remainder of 2026 as well as planning for a minimum of monthly Air2G2 applications in 2027. 

Air2G2 fits right into our strategy of small hole frequent aeration on these putting surfaces however the process will not remove excessive organic matter or what we have all heard commonly refered to as thatch. Excessive organic matter can be detrimental to the health of a putting surface and the main process for removal of this organic matter is core aeration. We still focus on small hole aeration but unlike Air2G2 which has virtually no surface disruption, small hole coreing has minimal short lived disruption.

For all who are interested below are some pictures that tell the story of our our small hole aeration strategy here at Granite Bay Golf Club.

Above is an Air2G2 machine. We are fortunate to have access to 2 rental machines and conduct the process at minimum monthly year around. 

This is a closeup of the working end of the Air2G2, the actual air tines that are pressed into the green cavity where a blast of fractureing air is delivered on comand then after raising the tines out of the green we move the maching forward aproximately 24" then lower into the green again, inject high pressure air and repeat the process all the way around and through the green.

The above graphic is what we are experiencing with these greens now and believe with continued regular use we can acheive vastly improved root depth and mass which is more then a good thing with these greens, it is a great thing

Upcoming 1/4" Core Aeration

On Monday 10/19/26 we have another scheduled 1/4" core aeration to do on the greens. Small holes, removing thatch and adding sand is a good thing. Look for greens that are a bit sandy for a few days afterwards and a decrease in speed that will take a week, maybe two or so to get back. Below are some pictures of the process

The first step in the  greens aeration process is to actually aerate the greens. Above is an example of greens aeration using a Toro Procore 648 Turf Aerator an industry standard. We set up the aerator with 1/4" coreing tines fitting with our philosphy of small hole but more frequent putting surface aeration. Small holes are less disruptive to the surface and therfore recover much quicker then larger more traditional greens aeration holes. This process is a poa annua prevention strategy as well along with putting quality strategy as small holes dont effect ball roll as much and recover rapidly limiting poa's germination.

The next step is to remove the cores extracted from the surface with the Procore. We recently had an oppurtunity to rent a core sweeper that significantly reduces the strain of processing cores developed during aeration. Above depicts the Pure Turf Core Sweeper working in tandom with the Toro Procore Turf Aerator and our own GCM partners with blowers keeping the process clean and tight.

Following the cleaning of the surface we apply sand topdressing with a Toro Propass 200 Series Topdressor. Applying topdressing sand to the surface is crucial as it fills the aeration holes for stability & surface firmness and it dilutes the excessive organic matter that putting surfaces are prone to develop.

Aftery some drying of the topdressing sand we use a GreensGroomer Brush to work the sand into the aeration holes and turf canopy. This brushing process can be hard on the surface if applied excessively. Therfore we dont try to apply too much sand in the  first pass of topdressing which would require the damageing excessive brushing. Experience has taught us to make subsequent light applications of sand to completly fill aeration holes and brush this light amount in, limiting the bruseing it can cause to the surface.

After the rolling we go ahead and mow the surface after a few days of allowing the topdressing sand to be worked in. 

Daily rolling will help the sand settle in, smooth and prepare them for mowing. The roller is used quite a bit in the process to get the surface back to good putting shape

Above is a fair representation of the greens after a couple of days working this process. Small 1/4" holes wont deflect ball roll, but performance does take some time to re-bound. 

Thanks for your support of our efforts here at Granite Bay Golf Club

2026 Fall Tee and Shady Surround Overseeding

Coming up in just over a week from now on Monday 10/12 through Wednesday 10/14  the GBGC golf course maintenance staff will overseed all of our tee's for winter play. In addition to all of our tee's, we will overseed the hybrid bermuda in the shady green surrounds of #3, #6, rear of #10, #13, #14, rear of #15 & #16. 

The very small footprints of our hybrid bermuda tees and the above listed shady surrounds will not hold up to winter traffic without some ryegrass overseeding. Below are the dates and associated alternating B9 &  F9 closures along step by step overseeding process pictures for those who are interested.

2026 Tee Overseeding Dates

Monday 10/12/26 - Preparation Tees for Overseeding

Tuesday 10/13/26 - Overseed B9 Tees & Shady Surrounds - B9 - Closed

Wednesday 10/14/26 - Overseed F9 Tees & Shady Surrounds - F9 Closed

Overseeding Steps

Step #1 is to scarify the surface of the tee, This scarification process thins out the stand of Hybrid Bermuda allowing space for ryegrass seed to nestle in and make contact with the soil.

Step #2 is to clean up the debris created during the scarification process. Here we are blowing the debris into an accessible area for sweeping up with the big sweeper.

Here we are sweeping

Step #3 we mow the scarified, cleaned up surface preparing it for seeding.

Step #4 apply ryegrass seed. We overseed at a rate of 400 lb's per acre.

Step #5 we topdress over the top of the seed with clean sand.

Step #6 we irrigate  to "push" the sand & seed into turf canopy.

Above depicts the surface after the six step process described above.

And here is the surface a few weeks later after the seed has germinated and surfaces have been mowed a couple of times. 


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