Deep-Tine Aerator for Clay Fairways: How Finance Helped a Parkland Course Reduce Winter Saturation

Parkland golf courses built on heavy clay soils face ongoing challenges during the winter months. Saturation, slow drainage, surface water accumulation, and fairway closures can seriously impact member satisfaction, visitor revenue, and overall playability.

In this case study, a popular UK parkland club was experiencing worsening winter issues. Despite having a strong drainage system in place, the clay soils remained compacted, reducing infiltration and leading to prolonged closures after rainfall. Traditional hollow-tine passes were no longer enough to manage the depth of compaction.

The course manager identified the need for a Wiedenmann Terra Spike deep-tine aerator—a market-leading machine capable of penetrating far deeper than standard aerators, fracturing soil pans and dramatically improving drainage performance.

Why the Wiedenmann Terra Spike?

The Terra Spike series is widely used across UK parkland and clay-based courses because it offers:

• Deep aeration reaching 10–16 inches below the surface
• Reduced compaction and improved water movement
• Better winter resiliency and fewer saturated fairways
• Improved turf health due to enhanced root development

With the right deep-tine aeration regime, clay fairways become firmer, drier, and more playable—especially during wet winters.

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How Gable Financed the Terra Spike

The club wanted immediate access to the machine before winter, but preferred to avoid a large upfront payment that would impact cash flow. After reviewing the club’s financial structure and seasonal revenue patterns, Gable Business Finance arranged a Finance Lease tailored for long-term turfcare equipment use.

Benefits the Club Received:

• No large initial outlay—ideal before winter when cash reserves are lower
• Flexible end-of-term options including return, extension, or upgrade
• Ability to spread payments across the working life of the machine
• Immediate improvement to drainage performance across clay fairways
• Reduced course closures even during prolonged rainfall

The Terra Spike allowed the club to perform essential deep-tine aeration before peak rainfall season, improving infiltration and reducing standing water throughout winter.

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Gable Golf Club Finance Options: Tailored Funding for Every Requirement

Golf clubs rely on a wide range of equipment—machinery, vehicles, irrigation systems, technology, and clubhouse infrastructure. Whether investing in new assets or unlocking the value of existing equipment, Gable provides flexible finance solutions designed specifically for the golf sector.

Gable finances a broad range of hard and soft assets, including:

• mowers, tractors, and aerators
• utility vehicles, ATVs, and UTVs
• irrigation systems and water storage solutions
• cleaning systems, pressure washers, IT, AV and software
• clubhouse equipment and renovation projects

Funding is available for assets up to £5 million, providing clubs with the capacity to plan major upgrades without financial strain.

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Key Benefits of Gable’s Golf Finance Solutions

• Fast – acquire essential equipment today without waiting for cash reserves
• Flexible – return, extend, or purchase the asset at the end of the term
• Cash-efficient – zero or low upfront costs
• Release capital tied up in existing assets through refinancing
• Spread payments to match seasonal golf-club revenue patterns
• Tax-deductible options depending on agreement type*
• Reclaimable VAT on certain finance structures*

*Always speak to your accountant or business advisor for guidance tailored to your club’s VAT status and accounting structure.

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Finding the Right Finance Solution for Your Golf Club

Gable offers three primary funding types tailored to the needs of UK golf clubs: Leasing, Hire Purchase, and Refinancing. Each offers different benefits depending on whether the club wants ownership, flexibility, or immediate cash flow improvement.

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Leasing

Ideal for clubs that want to use new equipment without committing to ownership.

How It Works:

• You choose the supplier and equipment
• Gable purchases the asset on your behalf
• The club leases the equipment for an agreed term
• At the end, you can return the asset or continue leasing at a reduced annual rate

Key Benefits:

• No large upfront cost
• Access to modern equipment without ownership risk
• Potential VAT recovery on rentals
• Flexible terms that can evolve with club needs

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Hire Purchase

Perfect for clubs wanting to own machinery or equipment outright at the end of the term.

How It Works:

• You select the equipment and supplier
• Gable funds the purchase and the club pays in instalments
• Ownership transfers automatically at the end of the agreement

Key Benefits:

• Full ownership after final payment
• Fixed payments improve budgeting
• Ideal for long-life machinery like mowers, aerators, tractors and irrigation components
• Capital allowances may apply*

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Refinancing

Refinancing helps clubs release capital from equipment they already own, without giving up use of the asset.

How It Works:

• The club’s existing asset is valued
• Gable provides funding based on that valuation
• The club receives a lump-sum cash injection
• The club continues to use the machine while paying regular instalments

Key Benefits:

• Immediate cash injection
• Retain use of essential machinery
• Improved financial flexibility
• Ideal for clubs planning renovations, irrigation upgrades or fleet expansion

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Important Questions to Consider

• Do you want to own the asset or prefer the flexibility of leasing?
• What repayment structure best matches your club’s seasonal cash flow?
• Which tax or VAT treatments apply to your preferred finance option?
• Do you need to release cash quickly, or fund new equipment?

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Speak With Gable’s Golf Finance Specialists

Every golf club is different—its course conditions, membership levels, machinery needs and financial profile all shape the right funding approach. Gable’s sector experts work directly with club managers, course managers, and committees to create tailored finance packages designed for long-term success.

Whether you’re investing in deep-tine aeration, upgrading your mower fleet, or financing a complete irrigation renovation, Gable offers clear, personalised guidance every step of the way.