Is scarifying necessary?

As turf-grass grows it naturally develops thatch which is a tightly intermingled layer of living and dead stems, leaves and roots which accumulate between the grass and the soil underneath. One of the factors that reduces lawn speeds is excessive thatch and historically clubs have tried to combat this by aggressive scarification or verticutting. This approach can have unfortunate side effects, one of which is to create bare patches which are then invaded by annual meadow grass. 
The Sports Turf Research Institute has published a series of articles relating to “Disturbance Theory” which recommend a less aggressive approach to grass care. In fact the best method is to work with the biology of your surface and treat thatch as a nutrient. It is organic matter and therefore can be broken down by bacteria and micro-organisms into usable nutrient form. This method forms the basis of my biofeed nutrition programmes which encourage a biologically active root-zone.  
It is very rare that I recommend scarification because it simply isn't necessary with the nutrition programmes that I recommend. Over the last few years I have been monitoring thatch levels at Croquet Clubs around the country and I have recorded thatch reduction of as much as 33% per annum without scarification.
It is beneficial to incorporate regular aeration in the programme so that life sustaining air and water reach the micro-organisms in the root zone.

Allett Cutting blades, groomer and front roller

​To prevent the build up of surface material, a powered rake, scarifier or verticutter can be used with the blades set to about 2mm above the soil surface. This will remove dead matter from the surface without damaging roots. Some mowers incorporate a groomer reel which flicks up dead material and stems into the cutting cylinder.