The Benefits ranging from the overall health of the turf, reducing potential disease, water perking through the profile and improving the golf experience.

ADVANTAGES The main goal is to firm up and dry out the fairways at my club. My course in the Pacific Northwest and many courses in the west have heavy soil and intense rain in the shoulder season from California, Oregon to Washington and even a few mountain areas.

A topdressing program pays big dividends and helps my budget in some ways. By topdressing fairways disease pressure is reduced as most bent/poa fairways are susceptible to pythium, anthracnose and dollar spot. By adding sand to the top growing median, it helps water move off the surface of the turf and into the root zone, thus reducing water sitting in the top of the thatch layer (minimizing the “sponge” effect). Coring and topdressing reduces the organic matter and gives water a better chance to perculate through the profile. Coring and topdressing also create deeper rooting which helps with irrigation water to penetrate into the root zone. Thus, creating a healthier turf environment and you may find a savings in fungicide costs as the turf becomes less susceptible to disease.

In the Pacific Northwest where there is intense rain, especially in the shoulder season, topdressing assists in water perculating though the profile in a more timely manner and helps the course regain it’s playing condition post rain fall.

In addition to a quicker recovery time after rainfall, the season is extended with dryer conditions coming in the spring as the regular season in late fall winds down.

ANALYSIS Now that you’ve read about some of the benefits of fairway topdressing, before you move forward you should do an analysis of your course. Include topics such as budget, soil profile, original construction/remodels, climate and geographic area. Also take into account previous cultural practices as these indicators will assist you in determining what type of topdressing program you should or should not implement and at what associated rate.

Your budget may only allow you to implement a fairway topdressing program that you can topdress nine holes in the spring and nine holes in the fall. Or, you may find a greater need where in addition to topdressing 18 holes twice per year you supplement with a light topdressing on a monthly basis.

Most likely your course’s legitimate need will fall within this range. Do your “homework” first and then implement what is best suited for your course.

SAND COSTS In comparing with other states such as Colorado, New Mexico and Washington, Colorado’s prices fell between $10-$15 per ton, based on the sieve analysis. New Mexico was $20 per ton and Washington just slightly more at $21 per ton. Recently I spoke with Steve Campbell, director of agronomy at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, N. M., where he confirmed similar costs for fairway sand in Washington. Reviewing the sieve analysis, this sand is similar but not exactly what you would use on your greens. The sand we use on our fairways falls between course-to-medium screen or 35-60 mesh. The range is about 30 percent in the 35 screen and 40-50 percent in the 60 screen.

We apply a rate about 1/8-inch of sand after coring the fairways which amounts to 672 tons of sand or 21 truck loads for a cost of approx. $14,000 per application twice per year. There is no requirement by the USGA on fairway topdressing sand, but this type of sand should achieve the desired results on your fairways.

IMPLEMENTATION At The Plateau Club we topdress fairways twice per year after each aerification of the fairways. I core the fairways with a 5/8-inch tine on a 2-inch spacing. In reality it does not take a great deal of manpower to topdress the fairways.

To complete the topdressing of our fairways we utilize a Ty-Corp topdresser and only two staff members. One staff member loads and spreads the sand while the other drags the sand into the freshly aerified fairways.

This process takes a total of four days post aerification as we close nine holes for two days. We then switch nines to complete the remaining nine holes allowing for uninterrupted member play.

We don’t find the need to supplement with additional topdressing during the season. However, if you find it necessary, keep in mind that not only will the cost of additional sand be incurred but your equipment manager will need to purchase additional bed knives. And spend more time grinding reels during the busiest time of year.

My equipment manager Ed White knows his role in our topdressing program and has looked at the cost vs. the benefits of topdressing the fairways and he is on board with the program.

RESULTS The members of The Plateau Club have witnessed noticeable improvements year to year since we’ve initiated our fairway aerification and topdressing program in the form of improved playability, ball roll and better lies.

With dryer fairways the thatch layer is not acting like a sponge and holding water in the upper profile. Additionally, we are able to mow fairways more often in the busy season, creating better playing conditions in and out of the shoulder season. This extends the season for our members and has been well received and supported.

You don’t need a Rolls-Royce-type of budget, but if you find your course in need of a topdressing program, you will improve turf conditions while making your customers and members happier.

Editor’s note: Myers is GC superintendent at the Plateau Club in Samamish, Wash. He can be contacted through email at jimm@plateauclub.com.