Here is a video about why we aerate.
To review the process, first we use a mechanical aerator, a Toro Procore 648. It is self-propelled, 48 inches wide and has 30 1/2 inch tines. The speed we use puts the tines down every 2 inches. Here is the machine in action.
The plugs of soil, grass and thatch removed from a green.
The playing surface after removing the plugs.
After these plugs are shoveled off the green, we use a mower attachment called a verti-cutter to break up any remaining plugs, as well as groom the playing surface of the green.
The verti-cutting units mounted on a tri-plex mower.
The verti-cuts in action
This is how the green looks after the verti-cutting.
At this point, we need to replace all of the material that we just removed. We do this with sand. Sand is a great medium to grow grass because it drains well and resists compaction. The sand is spread on the greens and then drug into the holes.
The top-dresser putting sand on #12 at Leslie Park a couple of years ago. The willow behind the green fell over during a windstorm in 2012.
Leslie Park's #18 green covered with sand.
A video of #10 green being drug in.
The finished product. Notice how all of the holes are filled with sand. This is the objective.
