Controlling dry spots on golf greens

Monthly aerifying was an aid to controlling the development of dry spots and did not cause cumulative injury on a Seaside bentgrass green during 1963 summer tests in San Bernardino County. Verticutting during the summer heat caused some injury to this fine turfgrass, but was also of some value in controlling dry spot development as thatch built up late in the season. Wetting agents aided in controlling dry spot development, but were detrimental to the appearance of the turf on this green. The tests also proved that it is possible to conduct complex experimental work on golf greens, if the management and players understand the importance of the work and the research is scheduled to cause a minimum of inconvenience to the golfers. Inexperienced judges were found capable of appraising visual effects of different management practices on the turf.