Why do greenkeepers sand greens - what is top dressing?

We join Stuart Green from the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association to talk about sanding greens, top dressing and why both are vital to create good putting surfaces.
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[@onetuliptree]

I'd love to have that sand spreader!

[@backyardgolfgreen9706]

Topdressing is the key to get really great performance, at least it is for me. I just need to get it done more often.

[@KrishnaKittu-vg3hp]

Very good

[@fredla7353]

As a journeyman greenskeeper we top dressed twice per year. Dethatch if required, plug [aerate], fertilize, dress with soil, drag, sand and re-drag...

[@thegolf_dad]

Great video... I've always wondered that 👍

[@golfshake]

Thanks Kevin! Few more explainers with BIGGA coming. Really interesting stuff. Especially one on Aeration.

[@9106Doug]

I was watching this in landscape mode and that tree branch in the top right scared the hell out of me. I thought I cracked my screen!

[@husseinferekh3977]

How can to connect??

[@BourneAccident]

I spoke with the head greenskeeper at my local CC and he said here in New England, top dressing with sand is a double edged sword. Apparently the sand becomes "ionized" (I really don't know what that means), builds up, and repels water. This starves the greens of water somehow. He also had said there is a process in which de-ionizing chemicals can be used to combat this problem, but he said he prefers to aerate differently and roll the greens instead. Now I did notice that he removes plugs from the greens at some times, verti-slices at other times, and just puts holes in at other times. Not sure why or how he makes these decisions. If anybody out there knows about this ionizing deal, please educate me. I would like to know more details.

[@golfshake]

These were filmed in the UK so potentially differences in relation to climate/location etc

[@gerryr1893]

Need to mix 50/50 compost

[@paulsmith-ri7vc]

Cut greens before or after top dressing?

[@backyardgolfgreen9706]

I do before then wait a few days then mow again. It's tough on the reel mower though

[@husseinferekh3977]

Hello how are you

[@maxpuppy96]

Top dressing alone will not reduce thatch, you have to aerate the greens to do that. Draw backs to top dressing is it dulls mower blades instantly. To me top dressing is over done it is mostly sand and has no benefit unless you aerate.

[@fredla7353]

That is why you mow before you dress the greens, then you mow after the sand is worked in [several days], then you sharpen and lap in your reel mower blades...

[@jamesb8488]

I can answer that without watching this video. It's simple. Sand is used to stiffen the bent grass making a harder and faster green..

[@fredla7353]

SAnd is used for several reason. Increasing the Stintmeter distance is really not the reason we do it.

[@husseinferekh3977]

Contact

[@Vermontwalleyeguy12.56]

This one guy that says he knows what he doing ‘NOT REALLY’ he was telling us NOT to sand our greens starve them of water and it’ll firm them but he’s a hack anyways ‘David spencer’ yes he’s a hack job! We lightly top dressed one cause it was scalping and it looked like hell and there was 3 inches of thatch in the green!!! I told him about thatch he asked me what that was and he’s in his 60s and he says he’s been doing this for 20 years HAH that’s a JOKE!! What do you guys think we need to do we’re in Vermont and I want my bosses greens better HELP me how many times a year should I do that I’ve read every 12-14 for a light too dress!?? Help!??