Coring Size Question

[360_CS]

Hopefully some greenkeepers can chime in.

 

What is the purpose of the two different core sizes, one being about 5mm and the other being about 1cm. At our course (it's spring) they have just cored the greens with the smaller size, I thought you would want to remove as much old soil/grass as possible therefore using the bigger core size. They did this last year too. I realised the greens recover quicker but the greens don't seem to be as smooth or as fast when they have done the smaller core size.

 

Thanks.

[hbear]

Not a greens keeper, but think it has to do with recovery time.

Our course will elect to do multiple smaller tine punches over the year if possible to ensure our greens are in playing form for as long as possible. The bigger tine takes more material out but also takes much longer to heal.....an issue in northern climates when the season is already fairly short.

This year we ended with big tines as last year was a smaller tine punch.

[knock it close]

we've micro punched only, no full core, the past 4 years. Our greens are always immaculate and our sup takes the stand that full coring only adds to the chance of disease and or poa creeping in.

[hbear]

All depends on the analysis of the green plugs over the year.
We try the mini tines as much as we can, but eventually the full core is required to remove enough material.

That being said we are in a northern climate with poa greens so obviously it's highly dependent on grass species.

[turfmantim]

Those small holes aren't typically pulling anything out, just making a hole for oxygen to better reach the roots.

Pulling cores is needed to control excess thatch and organic material buildup. I know a lot of courses that will only pull a core once every couple years.

Former Superintendent here.

[knock it close]

[quote name='hbear' timestamp='1412565892' post='10241649']
All depends on the analysis of the green plugs over the year.
We try the mini tines as much as we can, but eventually the full core is required to remove enough material.

That being said we are in a northern climate with poa greens so obviously it's highly dependent on grass species.
[/quote] Yea poa needs it. We have bent were I'm at down in Calgary, we try to keep our greens firm in the spring to discourage poa.