Vertical Mowing Greens

Today we verticut our greens.  This is the practice of vertically mowing the greens with blades that slice into the surface of the green.  We did not get aggressive today.  We like to call what we did today a little tickle. 

Vertical mowing has a number of benefits for our greens.

1. Reduce thatch in the top layer of the green. Thatch is a combination of living and dying plant material which accumulates in the top mat layer of the green. Most greens should have approximately 1/2" of thatch(mat) which help protect the turf from injury and impact from golf balls.
2. Incorporates sand into the thatch layer which helps with oxygen exchange and protects the crowns(growth center) of the plant. Oxygen allows the microbes to thrive in this layer which help in keeping the thatch layer broken down. This allows for water penetration and the release of nutrients into the roots of the plant. Greens that have too much thatch have a tendency to feel spongy when you walk on them and will ball mark rather severely.
3. Bentgrass by its very nature will prefer to lay over to the side. Turf that is laid over will become long creating more surface area for the ball to roll upon which then creates drag on the golf ball.  We want the turf to stand up straight so it will be cut cleanly and consistently. Topdressing sand will be able to be worked around the upright grass blades which reduces friction on the ball which increases speed.
4.  The slicing action that the verticutter uses to do its work causes bentgrass to rejuvenate and promotes new growth. This will help in recovery from aerification.

This is a close up of the mower blades. 

Here is Alex using the vertical mowing reels on a riding tri-plex mower on the greens.

Here is a view after the green was mowed.  The lines are barely noticeable right after the mowing and they will not be seen after a mow and roll the next day.