Peebles GC’s Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD brings era of smooth

Monday, 12 January 2026

Peebles Golf Club has used Wiedenmann aeration technology for over 25 years, including an original SpeedLink machine that delivered 23 years of dependable service.

Their newest machine, the Terra Spike GXi8 HD, was supplied in September 2024 by Wiedenmann UK’s Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Kinross, who had also supplied the club’s Iseki TG6507 tractor in 2021 — an ideal pairing.

The move to the GXi8 brought an immediate lift in efficiency and finish. Course Manager Steve Borthwick, supported by a team of three, said:
“We loved our SpeedLink. We knew its technology had been overtaken but it never failed us. When we moved to the GXi8 the difference was transformative.”

The GXi8’s increased working width from 1.6 m to 1.8 m and its VibraStop damping system were quickly noticeable, delivering a smoother run, keeping the machine steady, and protecting both the operator and the Iseki, while covering more ground per pass.

Steve continued:
“Its versatility has changed how we aerate. We use it everywhere — greens, tees, walkways, approaches, aprons, and once a year across the fairways.

“On greens we run it twice mid-season, we’ve introduced a hollow core annually in early October, and if conditions allow, we target three or four further outings across the winter.

“The hollow coring we did a few months ago was an enormous success. Maintenance started with an all-over solid tine, using 20 mm tines down to full depth of 250 mm with 10º of heave. As hoped, that got right into the drainage layer, proving very satisfying and it made a substantial difference. We switched to 12 mm hollow-coring tines, which let us pull healthy amounts of thatch, before overseeding and adding about 40 tonnes of sand.

For Steve, the biggest win is year-round playability:
“We want greens playable all year — firm, healthy, and draining properly. The 20 mm tines create channels through the profile, and inevitably your eyes are drawn to the cross-sections unplugged during hole changing; you can see roots following those channels down. It shows how deep-rooted and healthy the greens are, and it will keep them drought-resistant in the summer.

“The final finish means the greens are back in play fast. Disturbance is so minimal that golfers barely know work has been done, with no impact on ball roll. Golfers aren’t worried when they see the Terra Spike now. They know it’s for the health of the greens.”

Peebles GC’s already strong reputation rose even further in July when it hosted the Scottish Boys U16 Open Championship, earning outstanding feedback and a subsequent clear rise in visitor numbers.