Listen to the plug...

This morning, courtesy of our first big tournament of the year, I ended up with one extra plug when out changing holes (#11 has two holes today). At first I never gave it much thought, but as I traveled around with the plug in my bucket I got to wondering about all the things we can learn from a simple plug...

 Well the first thing we are always looking for is strong, healthy, deep roots. These roots are diving down a solid 8-9" and that is great. Roots are the lifeblood of the turf, and they do a lot to sustain the plants throughout the stress of the summer. Roots absorb water and nutrients, and create a positive symbiotic relationship with all the living entities in the soil. This relationship is the backbone of maintaining healthy greens.

The second thing we tend to focus on is the thatch layer and how it is developing. We have been working hard over the past couple of seasons to reduce our thatch layer and if you look at the top of the plug you can see how the thatch and sand are really mixed together nicely. This occurs when topdressing keeps pace with growth. We are making headway in the battle with the thatch layer, but it will continue for a while yet.

Next we like to see columns of clean sand like the ones pointed out in the picture. These are the result of aerating the greens in the fall and filling the open holes with fresh sand. These channels allow better air and water movement into the green profile, and go a long way to diluting and mixing the thatch layer.

  The last thing that will catch our attention is throughout the column of soil there appears to be uniform moisture content. There is not to much (then the green would be to soft), and there is not to little (the green would be under tremendous stress)...no like Goldilocks, this plug has its moisture just right. This is as a result of a new product we are trying this year, called Revolution. It is a wetting agent, which helps distribute the water we (or mother nature) apply, and move any excess water though the profile efficiently. It seems to be working well so far...will keep you posted.

 So as you can see there are many things that warrant a second look out on a golf course. Most of what you see on the surface is just one piece of the puzzle we work hard at assembling each day. And when things are humming along its a fun puzzle to work on.

Thanks for reading
paul m