I have a spot at Hansen Dam this week, and I'm debating whether I want to keep it because they will have aerated their greens about 14-15 days prior. I usually stay away from courses for a minimum of 3 weeks after punching. How long do you guys normally wait?
Obviously this question is for those who care about these things :-)
Message #101942
Deepsea14
RE: 14 days after aeration (vs. 21 days)
Member Since: October 15, 2017
Favorite Golfer: Dad and his Dad Favorite Golf Course: The one I'm playing
Tuesday April 19, 2022 10:57 AM
Depends on the type of aeration small tine top dressed, large holes sand filled
would make a big difference on time to get back to "normal"
some poa greens will seed head and be slow and bumpier than normal even if not punched.
Depends on your tolerance level too I suppose.
However compared to working, doing chores, shopping, no brainer. Golf every time even on below average putting surfaces.
Message #101946 - This was a reply to message #101942
Nickesquire
RE: 14 days after aeration (vs. 21 days)
Member Since: August 11, 2007
Favorite Golfer: Jack Freddie Tiger Rory Favorite Golf Course: Pebble Wolf Creek Poppy
Tuesday April 19, 2022 12:29 PM
What Peter said.
And I would add that much depends on how good the greens were before aeration. I have played at courses with historically good greens and even 10-14 days after aeration, they were good again.
But if they were crappy before? Don't expect good greens soon after aeration. I have also played courses that had poor greens before aeration, and even 30 days after aeration guess what? They still had poor greens.
The goal has always been long and straight! But since I can no longer hit them long, hopefully straighter could be achieved more than occasionally?
Message #101951 - This was a reply to message #101946
Good point, I'm talking about large holes punched and sand filled. When you play a course that went thru that type of aeration recently, you come home with a bunch of sand in your pockets. :-)
I feel like the very small needle-like punching is almost barely noticeable, so I'm happy to play on those greens no problem.
Message #101952 - This was a reply to message #101946
t8fish
RE: 14 days after aeration (vs. 21 days)
Member Since: January 31, 2006
Favorite Golfer: My Dad Favorite Golf Course: Wykagyl GC
Tuesday April 19, 2022 2:13 PM
I stopped by Hansen last Thursday to use the range and then went over to the putting green, which had been punched — big holes and sanded. I'm certainly not indifferent to the quality of the greens, but nor do I consider myself overly fussy, as long as I know what I'm getting in to to set my expectations accordingly. Assuming the practice green represented the course greens and for what it's worth, I think this week would be too soon to have reasonable expectations for Hansen.
Personally, I'd probably give it a couple more weeks of recovery to insure a reasonably enjoyable level of playability.
[[Edited by t8fish on Tuesday April 19, 2022 2:16 PM]]
Message #101953 - This was a reply to message #101952
FWIW, I canceled Hansen Dam and played El Dorado Park in Long Beach instead. Conditions are really good there right now IMO.
I was lucky enough to get through the LA City reservation website this morning for an early tee time at Hansen Dam on April 30, so I'll post a review to report back on how the greens are doing after we play. 25 days after punching I hope is enough time!
Message #101962 - This was a reply to message #101954