As you can see by the photo, we are working the final grades on the front of #11. The greens mix is being re-used. You can see the stakes and string where the green was lasered and "gridded" to ensure we don't exceed 1.5% slope. Our greens mix is comprised of 80% sand - 20% peat mix. Peat is added to greens mix for a bit of moisture and nutrient retention. It meets USGA specs for putting green construction. After internal drainage is installed, there is a 4" gravel layer and then 12" of greens mix that serves as the root zone.
Greens fail when too much organic matter, or thatch, accumulates in the upper several inches of the rootzone. This is why it is so important to stay on a consistent aerification program on greens. Without it, these greens would not make it. It is essential to remove the thatch and organic matter to prevent water from being hung up in the top 3 inches which leads to soft, wet greens. Eventually this scenario leads to a number of disease issues that increases chemical costs and turf loss.
