Aerated Greens and Fairways

[colin007]

they dont even sand the greens after punching holes on one of my local courses...

[Rulesman]

Originally Posted by colin007

they dont even sand the greens after punching holes on one of my local courses...

Whether they backfill depends on a number of factors.

The primary reason for aerating (hollow/micro or spikes) is, as the word suggests, to get air down into the roots. This enables bacteria in the soil to stimulate root growth. This would be partially defeated by filling the hole with sand.

However, an important secondary reason is to improve the soil structure and reduce thatch. In which case back filling helps

The time of year or weather will often determine the greenkeeper's action..

If the grass or sand is wet or damp or if micro tines have been used, it is almost impossible to get sand to fall into the holes.

Top dressing, with or without tining, is normally done during the summer months and should be done frequently even if tining is not.

Larger hollow tining should be done a couple of times during the winter. By early spring the holes will have healed (with the help of a bit of fertilizer).

[OTTG]

Absolutely, positively, do not include rounds of golf played on aerated fairways and greens in your handicap. Unless you are a sandbagger!!

[iacas]

Originally Posted by OTTG

Absolutely, positively, do not include rounds of golf played on aerated fairways and greens in your handicap. Unless you are a sandbagger!!

Entering scores made while playing on aerated fairways (or greens, or both) does not make someone a sandbagger. Many golfers will shoot the same scores if they play lift/clean/place in the fairway.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by OTTG

Absolutely, positively, do not include rounds of golf played on aerated fairways and greens in your handicap. Unless you are a sandbagger!!

That is not the player's decision, it is the Handicap Committee's decision.

From section 7 of the USGA Handicap Manual:  . Individual players playing the course do not independently decide whether scores are acceptable because of the conditions.

[stangmark]

Aeration plugs are a man-made impediment not intended to be a part of the course, making them an artificial, movable obstruction.  mark your ball, lift, move the obstruction and recreate your lie, no penalty.

[Rulesman]

Originally Posted by stangmark

Aeration plugs are a man-made impediment not intended to be a part of the course, making them an artificial, movable obstruction.  mark your ball, lift, move the obstruction and recreate your lie, no penalty.

They are not. There is no such thing as a 'man-made impediment' in the Rules of Golf. They are not an artificial movable obstruction. The are an integral apart of the course.

Relief is only available from aeration holes if a Local Rule is in force. (See Appendix I-B-4d)

See Decision 25/15 re the holes and Decision 23/12 re the loose plugs.

But how would you move an aeration hole?