10/09/2026
Why we’ve hollow tined and put plenty of sand on the greens⛳️
Hollow tine is a hollow metal tube that punches into the green and pulls out a small core of soil - like taking a core sample, a hollow tine actually removes material.
Greens get incredibly compacted, you have hundreds of golfers walking on the same small area every day, plus mowers rolling over it. Over time three things happen:
A)Compaction: The soil particles get squashed together, so there's no air space. Roots need oxygen to grow. No air = shallow, weak roots.
B)Thatch build-up: Greens are constantly growing and being mown. The dead stems and roots - called thatch - build up just under the surface. It acts like a sponge, holding water at the top and stopping water and air getting down to the roots. It also makes greens soft and bumpy.
C)Poor drainage: With compaction and thatch, water sits on the surface. You get soft, disease-prone greens.
Hollow tining removes that compacted, thatchy material completely. It instantly opens up the profile for air, water, and root growth.
2. Why add sand straight after?
The holes left behind are then filled with sand - called top-dressing. This is the crucial bit.
a) To dilute the thatch: Over years, by removing a bit of organic thatch and replacing it with sand, you change the top 4-6 inches of the green from a spongy organic layer into a free-draining, sandy mix. Sand doesn't hold water like thatch does.
b) To keep the holes open: If you left the holes empty they would just close up and compact again. Sand keeps the aeration channels open for months, so air and water can keep moving down.
c) To keep the surface true and firm: The sand levels the surface, fills any minor dips, and makes the green firmer. A firm, sandy top is faster, smoother to putt on, and much less likely to get fungal diseases like fusarium(which I hate)
They use a shaped sand - not builder's sand - so it's round, consistent, and doesn't compact.
Think of it as a reset. For 2 weeks the green is poor, but for the next 10-11 months you get healthier roots, better drainage in a wet UK winter, firmer surfaces in summer, and a truer roll⛳️
Most courses do the big hollow-tine in late summer / early autumn - August to September - when the grass is still growing strongly and will recover quickly.🤞
Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully understanding why we do what we do.
Thanks Chris
