Reid's comment

In response to Reid's comment, my experience is mainly in cooler climates, though each course is different. However it is standard that most putting surfaces are aerified twice a year. Superintendents vary on the size of the holes punched to remove more or less thatch. When I was in Colorado Springs, I could get away with smaller hole sizes, mainly due to warmer soil temperatures and less shade issues.

From what I do know about maintenance of southern grasses and warmer climates, some Superintendents may choose to aerify two, three or more times per year. There are two common reasons for this. First, they are usually open year round and deal with more compaction. Aerification is the greatest medicine to relieve compaction. Second, some warm season turfgrasses such as bermuda grass can be very aggressive and can accumulate thatch layers very quickly. In this case aerification can help prevent disease and poor ball roll on putting surfaces.

In response to your comment about the USGA, they actually do a great job of supporting "our" end of the business. They provide thousands of dollars each year to universities around the country for turfgrass research. The Green Section is a vital part of each and every USGA event. The USGA has numerous agronomists that monitor each golf course before and during a tournament. They also provide a turf advisory service, which for a fee a USGA agronomist can visit a golf course and provide helpful tips to the Superintendent.

I do have to agree with you that it has been a struggle for the USGA, GCSAA and all turf maintenance related organizations to successfully reach out to the golfer. But trust me we are all working on it. One of my solutions to reach out to golfers is this blog site, I think we are off to a great start and keep those questions coming.  

Click here to view helpful video clips on certain maintenance practices supported by the USGA Green Section .