Firm greens: three general principles

I've observed, measured, and studied putting green firmness on every common species (and on some rare ones too). These are some general principles common among firm surfaces. These principles do not always match with conventional wisdom about what leads to firm surfaces.

Here are the principles.

1. Avoid soil decompaction

For surfaces to play firm, you want the soil to be as compacted as possible. Remember that another term for aerification is decompaction. Coring, solid-tining, and venting all make the…