This morning we used 1/4" hollow tines to aerate collars on the golf course. For a variety of different reasons, collars dry out faster than any other part of the green. In addition, the collar of a green receives the most traffic and wear from maintenance and golfers. Punching holes like this allows for oxygen exchange in the root zone and allows us to rewet the collars easier in areas where they get sealed off.
On another note, for the 1st time in 16 years, several ballwashers were empty because the water evaporated! We change the water and soap in them on a 3 week rotation. We've been through droughts before, but this one is unique because we've had no cloudy days and the humidity is low combined with a breeze/wind each day. This is the perfect conditions for drying. In fact, it sometimes feels like the water is evaporating as it exits the hose as we irrigate!
