Top-Dressing

I was visiting a golf course the other day that had just started to top-dress when a member came up to me said “I hate when they do this but we do have the best greens in town”. He told me that just three years ago the greens were puffy, slow, grainy, and had diseases all the time, but now they were perfect. He commented, three years ago the course did top-dressing once or twice a year, but now they lightly top-dress every two weeks and fairways three times a year. I was impressed about how much the member was actually watching the course, but come to find out he lived next to that green and watched out his window at the daily operations. I explained to him why they top-dress and that some courses are starting to eliminate topdressing due to budget cut backs in these hard times. He said they need to come sit on his back patio to see the difference.

Top-dressing
Smooth the playing surface
Protects the crown of the plant
Tighter, Finer, Upright turf to compete against poa-annua
Removes grain on older bent / poa greens
Thatch control
Less disease
Better water and Fertilizer infiltration
Alleviates Compaction
Protects against winter kill

Over the last six months I have visited several courses who have told me that they were going to eliminate their top-dressing program to cash flow.

Do the benefits out weight the price?
How often do you top-dress at your course?
Do you top-dress fairways?
Do you top-dress going into winter to protect against winter kill?
Can you tell the difference in your greens?

Indianapolis 500 and the month of May

The Indianapolis 500, held May 30th each year, is known around the world as the greatest spectacle in racing, and having grown up in Indiana, it was larger than life. Every year the Speedway hosts the Indy 500, NASCAR, Moto GP, and what might amaze you, golfers.

Located along the back stretch of the track is a Pete Dye designed golf course featuring 14 holes on the outside of the track and 4 breathtaking holes located in the infield of the track. Whether you are a race fan or not, the golf course is a one-of-a-kind gem that is a must for any golfer.

The undulating, elevated greens are as fast as some of the cars that travel around it. Make sure to bring your camera for an occasional glimpse of a race car, but for sure you will need it for some of the great golf holes. My favorite is hole number 7 on the inside of the track, one of the unique par threes you will play.