Thatch accumulation and reducing fertility needs

Thatch is organic material that forms between the grass blades and soil surface. Thatch consists of living and dead plant material. Contrary to popular belief grass clippings do not increase thatch production, instead clippings add a light amount of fertility back into the surface. Thatch is a good thing in the right amount. Thatch buffers high air temperatures, and protects the root zone. Thatch allows for a divot to be removed when striking a ball. Side note; that divot should be put back more often than reaching for the soil and seed mixture attached to your cart or in the buckets on the par 3 tees. However, to much thatch can be a bad thing. To much thatch can hold water, harbor insects and diseases. There are several reasons thatch can become to dense or thick. Over fertilizing is the biggest factor in thatch production. Neglecting cultural practices like aeration can also play a role in developing to much thatch. Several years ago, Metamora had to much thatch in the fairways and something had to be done. We do aerate twice a year, but with solid tines, we weren't really removing it. I said the heck with it, I will let it break down naturally and let it feed the grass at the same time. For the past several seasons I have continued to lower the fertility levels especially in the form of Nitrogen to help reduce it. This year I decided to omit any Nitrogen inputs to the fairways all together. In doing this the fairways have never been better in my opinion. They were healthier, required less water, wetting agents and fertilizers.