October/November is a perfect time of year to send soil samples off for nutrient testing. The lab will evaluate everything to nutrient quantities to soil pH. This test allows us to determine if lime is a requirement for this winter. Liming is typically done in the winter because the chemical reaction that takes place to raise soil pH typically takes a few months. Lime also adds valuable calcium to the soil. I will test tees, roughs, fairways and approaches annually. Greens soil tests are sent off 2-3 times a year. Obviously greens are maintained much more intensely and given the sand base construction, nutrient leaching is more common. I also send them to a different lab that analyses the soil much more closely.
Although not real clear, this picture shows about 2.5-3" of sand topdressing on top of the native soil. Our commitment to sand has led to drier and firmer surfaces all over the course!