Now that the new greens are well-rooted, we aerated them today with 1/4" tines. When a green is sodded, it comes with a thatch layer. It is important that we get as much of that out as well can so the greens play as firm as the others on the course. Otherwise, they will hold too much water and play too soft. This is opposite of what happens when a green is seeded. Seeded greens play very firm for the first couple years, until the new turf has time to build up a small thatch layer, or organic layer. Some organic layer is good, but too much is detrimental.
There is a big difference between seeded and sodded greens and it is important to understand this. I've been asked a handful of times by members about what they can expect with the new putting surfaces. Their initial thought is that they would be very firm and not receptive to golf shots. Again, this will not be the case because these two greens were sodded rather than seeded. Seeding is always the preferred method of establishing new putting greens. Obviously, we don't have the luxury of time given our golf season. That said, our sodded greens will be awesome as well!
