AERIFICATION POINTERS
It’s In The Hole! 
Spring came early in many parts of the country, producing an excess of thatch buildup that is now causing problems and becoming hydrophobic. When deciding whether to pull a core or use a solid tine, keep in mind what type of aerifier you are using. A solid tine should only be used on a heaving-type aerifier for compaction relief. If you are using a straight-up-and-down type of aerifier, a solid tine should only be used for seasonal venting. Then you can relieve compaction later with a heaving solid tine or a coring tine. Coring tines may be used for thatch removal. Although 90 to 95 percent of thatch removal is accomplished through verticutting and topdressing, an important 5 to 10 percent of thatch is removed by pulling cores. This is especially helpful during hot, high-stress times when the thatch can become hydrophobic and repel irrigation water. Coring tines bring soil to the surface for topdressing. This can be cost-effective for fairways. As you can see, the choice between solid and coring tines varies with the machine design, the problem being addressed and the desired outcome. There’s a time and place for both. 
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