We poke holes in paradise so it plays like a dream.

Follow the crew at work in the Blue Ridge mountains as they pull cores, haul sand, and give the greens a breath of fresh air. Every photo and video on this page was captured on real aerification days.

Why we do it

Aerification is turf therapy. Hollow tines unplug organic matter, sand refills the channels, and the putting surface recovers with better drainage, stronger roots, and smoother roll. The process looks disruptive, but the science is pure agronomy magic.

Oxygen for roots

The open channels from core aeration invite oxygen, water, and nutrients deeper into the profile, keeping bentgrass roots energized through the stress of summer.

Sand keeps us rolling

Routine sand topdressing dilutes thatch so greens stay firm, fast, and true. It’s how we deliver consistent ball roll after tournament-level prep and rainy Mondays alike.

Greens get the spotlight

Our rotation laser-focuses each bentgrass green: punch cores, clear plugs, topdress, brush, roll. By day’s end every putting surface is breathing easier and healing fast for pure roll.

Close view of a putting green filled with sand after aerification, showing smooth topdressing incorporation around the cup.
Aerified and sanded, already rolling true.

Stage One

Soil detectives & profile nerds

Before a tine ever hits the green, we study the rootzone. Organic layers, sand fractions, and thatch all tell us how deep to go and what topdressing blend to apply.

A turf manager holding a rectangular soil plug to inspect the profile layers during aerification prep.
Reading the layers beneath the surface.
Close-up of a hand examining a fresh soil core showing sand and organic matter layers.
Dialing in the perfect topdressing recipe.
Two turf managers operating a greens aerator with mountainous golf course scenery behind them.
Scouting the green before the punch.
Close-up of extracted soil cores on a bentgrass putting surface showing cleanly cut holes and healthy rootzone.
Healthy roots proving the program works.
Rows of extracted soil cores lining an approach with rolling contours in the background.
Mapping the tine spacing across the approach.

Stage Two

Bring in the heavy metal

Toro ProCores, conveyor vacs, and Workmans team up to perforate greens and fairways. Straight passes, perfect depth, zero shortcuts.

Crew performing greens aerification using a tractor-mounted aerifier with conveyor belt on a sloped green.
Conveyor cleanup keeps the green tidy.
Crew member operating a Toro ProCore aerifier pulling cores from a green while support equipment waits in the background.
ProCore precision at sunrise.
Turf crew member guiding a Toro ProCore 648 across a fairway creating clean rows of aerification holes.
Marching the unit down the approach.
Close perspective of an operator guiding a Toro ProCore with visible rows of holes behind it.
The art of a straight pass.
Close-up of Toro ProCore 648 extracting soil cores from a putting surface with plugs collected into rows.
Hollow tines doing the heavy lifting.
Toro ProCore removing cores as the operator ensures uniform tine engagement and tracking.
Monitoring tine depth on the fly.
Toro topdresser applying sand to turf with dust rising in early spring conditions.
Topdresser staged for the next pass.
Worker operating a green topdresser spreading sand along a fairway with mountain golf course scenery.
Fairway topdressing in the mountains.

Stage Three

Cleanup crew & core connoisseurs

Scoops, shovels, and Cushmans chase the aerifier, clearing cores so the sand can move in. This is where teamwork shines brightest.

Greens staff shoveling aerification cores into a Toro Workman on a sunny morning.
The morning core brigade.
Freshly pulled soil cores in rows beside cleanly aerated turf illustrating before and after.
Before, after, and everything in between.
Toro Workman parked on a green as crew members shovel cores into piles under clear skies.
Shovels and smiles on the green.
Overhead view of perfectly aligned rows of soil cores across the surface.
Geometry of a perfect punch.
Three crew members loading cores into a Cushman Turf-Truckster with morning sunlight highlighting the work.
Teamwork with scoop shovels.
Crew member using a blue scoop shovel to collect soil cores with a utility cart in the background.
Scooping with style.
Two workers shoveling aerification cores into a Cushman Turf-Truckster while a third monitors the load.
Loading up another haul.
Three crew members spreading and clearing cores beside a green Cushman utility vehicle.
Synchronized scooping.
Close-up of neat rows of extracted soil plugs aligned across a green.
Precision rows ready for removal.
Wide-angle shot of an aerified green with uniform lines stretching toward the horizon.
The scale of the operation.
Crew member with a backpack blower clearing debris beside a John Deere utility cart.
Finishing pass with the blower.

Stage Four

Sand storm & smooth finish

Once the surface is clean, the sand takes over: topdress, brush, drag, repeat. It’s the not-so-secret ingredient that makes fast, true greens possible.

Toro topdresser spreading sand across a fairway with a dog riding shotgun.
Bring your dog to topdressing day.
Wide view of a topdressed fairway covered in an even layer of sand with mountain backdrop.
Smooth as a beach at altitude.
Blue semi-truck delivering a load of sand to the maintenance yard with trailer raised.
The sand arrives in bulk.
Worker operating a Toro topdresser to apply sand to a bunker near lush shrubs and a clubhouse.
Caring for the bunkers too.
Evenly topdressed fairway shimmering under spring light.
One more look at that perfect finish.
Spring golf hole framed by blooming azaleas with a sand bunker and bright fairways.
The reward: azaleas and pure roll.
Sand storm in motion.
Fairway coverage done right.
Dusting in the spring breeze.

Encore

Watch the whole operation breathe

The soundtrack of aerification: engine hums, sand rattling through spinners, and laughter over morning coffee. Press play and enjoy the crew in action across greens, approaches, and fairways.

Chasing the cores across the green.
Precision passes with the ProCore.
From plugs to perfection.
Wrapping the green with style.

Aerification days feel like controlled chaos, but every hole we punch buys a season of better golf. Next time you see the sand, smile — you’re looking at agronomy art.