DRYJECT SAND INJECTION COMPLETES ORGANIC DILUTION GOAL

Each August we audit our green maintenance program by taking undisturbed core samples off of 5 of our greens which represent five different eras of green construction on our course and BenchMarking them against samples taken in previous years, our testing is done by ISTRC (International Sports Turf Research Center). We test the infiltration rate, air porosity, water holding capacity, bulk density and organic matter accumulation in the top 4" of the green and the results dictate our management program for the next 8, growing season, months. Last year, because of 23" of rain in 8 weeks and the resulting weak turf it left behind we were unable to perform routine minor management practices throughout the summer so our ISTRC test result indicated we were in need of a more aggressive program which started with a DryJect late last August followed by aggressive core aeration the last week of October and finally the DryJecting last week. Had we been able to perform our summer program there is a good chance the aggressive coring last October would not have been needed.

OK, so what does all this mumbo, jumbo me to me the GOLFER??  Smooth, fast, firm, healthy, consistent greens are a result of having the right balance of drainage and dead and living grass roots in the surface 4" of the green and that balance, inturn, renders the correct balance of oxygen to water that grass roots thrive on. Let me also say, grass root growth, itself, depletes oxygen pore space by pushing it out with new root growth and old roots die off naturally all season long leaving behind a mussy residue that  plugs the soil reducing water infiltration rates. Well, this is a simple explanation of the dynamic world of grass root growth on a green and is the reason why we sand topdress, spike, knife, dryject, hydroject, solid tine and sometimes have to core aerate to maintain a prescribed soil balance that renders a fast, firm and smooth putting surface. 

Pictured; DryJect sand injection. Profile of injected sand. Sweeping surface sand. Finished. 

SAND, LOTS OF IT = FAST, FIRM, SMOOTH, HEALTHY BENTGRASS FAIRWAYS

Why sand the fairways? From a golfers perspective; longer drives, consistent ball reaction with bump and run approach shots, firm up-right turf for excellent club to ball striking performance, swing plane angle superior due to positive foot, leg and hip pivoting on the firmer surface, no plugged lies, less fatigue pushing a cart or caring your bag, use of golf cars more frequently after rains, no muddy core aeration or multitudes of earthworm casts to interfere with THE GAME.

From an agronomic perspective; less disease, better drainage, deeper rooting, superior wear tolerance, fewer earthworm poa planting casts, competitive advantage for bentgrass over poa annua means less winter-kill potential, fewer summer stress situations, organic matter control, less scalp potential, fewer chemical inputs, better drought avoidance means fewer irrigation events and the ability to use equipment much sooner after heavy rains and snow melts. All of this equates out to economic and quality sustainability.

To reap all of the above you need at least a 2" layer of sand and the maximum you can safely apply in the cooler spring and fall period is 1/4" per application and this is best done in two 1/8" applications with incorporation of the sand into the canopy between the 1/8" applications. During the summer months 1/20" to 1/16" should be the target so as to avoid the smothering of turf and tissue damage that would be caused by incorporation techniques of higher quantities.

Our goal is to apply 3/4" of sand per year with a ultimate target depth of 4". Once the 4" depth is attained our yearly total will be reduced to just over 1/4" for maintenance of the surface.