Trevor Ng
Redoing golf greens is a meticulous process that requires careful planning and execution. The scope of the project can vary from a simple resurfacing to a complete renovation, depending on various factors such as the desired changes to slopes or location, the quality of surface drainage, and the levels of organic matter in the existing greens. A key consideration is whether the greens were constructed for slower or faster ball speeds, as this will impact the type of seed chosen for the new greens. Proper mapping of the course's greens is essential to understand the specific slopes and other factors that need to be addressed. Once the scope of the project is determined, the process of redoing golf greens involves several steps, including smoothing the surface, installing drainage, adding sand, and finally laying down new grass, a process that requires expertise and precision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to redo golf greens | When the greens have been aerated or when there are issues with the greens that need addressing. |
| Reasons for renovation | Changes in slope or location, poor surface drainage, high levels of organic matter in the greens |
| Reasons for resurfacing | No changes in architecture, good surface drainage, no issues with the current organic layer |
| Process | Smooth the dirt, install drainage, add sand, add grass |
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What You'll Learn
Renovation vs. reconstruction
Renovating or reconstructing golf greens is a complex process that requires careful consideration and planning. When deciding between renovation and reconstruction, it is essential to understand the specific needs and goals of the project. Here is a detailed comparison between the two approaches:
Renovation:
Renovation involves a complete ground-up rebuild of the green, providing the flexibility to alter contours and slopes. This approach is ideal when there is a need to change the slope or location, address poor drainage, or manage high levels of organic matter in the greens. Renovation allows for the installation of drainage systems, such as the herringbone drainage system, which ensures proper water management. It also provides the opportunity to select the appropriate type of seed, considering factors such as ball speed and green speed requirements. Renovation is a more extensive process that requires significant time, effort, and resources. It is a long-term solution that offers total flexibility in redesigning the green.
Reconstruction:
Reconstruction, also known as resurfacing, is a less intrusive approach that focuses on addressing surface-level issues. It is often chosen when there are no significant changes required in the architecture, slope, or location of the greens. Reconstruction involves replacing the surface layer of the green, improving the playing surface without making substantial alterations. This method is generally faster, cheaper, and less disruptive. However, it may not address deeper-rooted problems, and the effects might be shorter-lived. Reconstruction is a viable option when time and resources are limited, and it is commonly favoured by mid- and lower-level courses.
Factors Influencing the Decision:
When deciding between renovation and reconstruction, several factors must be considered. Firstly, the scope of the project should be determined by scientific assessment rather than opinion. This ensures that the chosen approach effectively addresses the root causes of any issues. Secondly, the desired outcome of the project plays a crucial role. If changes in slope, location, or drainage are required, renovation is usually the preferred option. On the other hand, if the primary goal is to improve the surface without making significant alterations, reconstruction may be more suitable. Additionally, logistical considerations, such as time and resource availability, can influence the decision. Renovation projects tend to require more labour hours and resources, while reconstruction offers a quicker and less labour-intensive solution.
Planning and Execution:
Regardless of the chosen approach, proper planning and execution are essential. This includes detailed research, mapping of the greens to understand slope and contour requirements, and ensuring a cohesive team is in place. The type of seed selected for the greens will also impact ball speed, so this is another important factor to consider. Finally, the facility's location and the type of grass grown can influence the decision. For example, in Texas, resurfacing is popular as Bermuda grass is grown, which tolerates different soils well.
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Drainage systems
One popular option is the AirDrain system by AirField, which offers 100% vertical and horizontal drainage, allowing water to drain more uniformly while keeping the course playable. The AirDrain system is an alternative to traditional gravel drainage layers, requiring much less excavation and causing less disruption to the golf course. It arrives on-site ready for installation and does not require heavy equipment. The manufacturer claims that it significantly reduces irrigation frequency and needs, providing up to three more days of plant-available water than a USGA-recommended gravel and sand profile.
Another option for drainage systems is the XGD System, which has been used by several golf clubs as a long-term solution. This system is effective and cost-efficient, and it is not invasive to the greens, which can be ready for play a day after installation. The XGD System helps to move water through and out of the profile, promoting healthier turfgrass.
When installing drainage on golf greens, it is important to use the proper materials and techniques. For example, when installing perforated pipes in trenches, it is recommended to backfill the trenches with sand or a mixture of sand and soil, rather than heavy-clay native soil, to improve drainage conditions. The herringbone drainage system is another commonly used method, where trenches are dug and perforated pipes are placed in segments of the green, draining into non-perforated pipes that run off the course.
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Sand layering
One of the primary benefits of sand layering is improved drainage. Sand helps break up thatch, a layer of organic material that builds up over time in the upper root zone. Excessive thatch can lead to spongy greens, brown spots, and scalping during mowing. By breaking up the thatch, sand improves water flow, ensuring proper drainage and preventing waterlogging, which can cause root structures to drown and anaerobic bacteria to thrive.
When performing sand layering, it is crucial to use the right type of sand and apply it at the appropriate time. The ideal sand for golf greens has a specific composition, including coarse, medium, fine, and very fine sand in varying percentages. Using the wrong sand can adversely affect the movement of water and nutrients through the root zone. It is also important to note that while sand layering is beneficial, it should be combined with other maintenance practices, such as aeration, to ensure the optimal health of the golf greens.
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Smoothing the surface
One common technique is to use a box blade pulled behind a tractor. This method can effectively smooth large areas of the green, but it may not be suitable for more delicate or hard-to-reach spots. In such cases, alternative tools and methods can be employed, such as attaching a wooden palette to the back of a gator and pulling it over the surface. For the most delicate areas or spots that are difficult to reach with machinery, metal rakes can be used to manually smooth the surface.
The process of smoothing the surface is not just about aesthetics; it is also crucial for ensuring proper drainage. Once the surface is smooth, sand can be added, and this is a meticulous process. At Overton Park, for example, three to five inches of sand were added to the greens. Before adding the sand, it is important to mark the desired depth with stakes around the perimeter and within the green, allowing for bulldozer manoeuvrability.
Rakes are then used to smooth out spots, pull over edges, and ensure the sand is level with the stakes. A worker will often use a probe to continually test different spots for accuracy. A small machine called a sand pro, which is a three-wheeled ATV with a blade on the bottom, can also be used to smooth out the sand and ensure an even surface. This process ensures that the green is smooth and level, providing an optimal playing surface for golfers.
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Seed type and speed
When redoing golf greens, the type of grass seed chosen is critical. The variety of grass seed will determine the speed of the ball, with some varieties making for slower or faster ball speeds.
Golf course architect Rees Jones advises that slope is the prime determinant when considering resurfacing over renovation. He suggests that a "mapping" of a course's greens is essential to understanding the slopes and other factors that will influence the type of seed chosen. For example, if you are going from a push-up green to a USGA green, you will likely need to rebuild, as many older greens were constructed for slower speeds.
The choice between renovation and resurfacing will also impact the speed of the green. Renovation allows for a complete ground-up rebuild, with total flexibility to alter green contours and slopes, which can influence ball speed. On the other hand, resurfacing is a less intrusive option that may be faster and cheaper, but it may not address the root issues of the golf green.
When choosing a grass seed, it is also important to consider the facility's location and the type of soil. For example, golf courses in Texas tend to favour resurfacing as it is cheaper and faster, and they primarily grow Bermuda grass, which tolerates different soils well.
Overall, the type of seed chosen for a golf green redo will impact the speed of the green, and this decision should consider slope, desired level of renovation, location, and soil type.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to first determine whether the project calls for a renovation or reconstruction. If there are no changes in architecture needed, surface drainage is good, and the current organic layer is not an issue, a resurface may be the best route to take. If there are desired changes to slopes or location, poor surface drainage, or high levels of organic matter in the greens, then renovation may be needed.
Renovation affords a complete ground-up rebuild with drainage, greens mix, and total flexibility to alter green contours/slopes.
A resurfacing project is cheaper, faster, and less intrusive. It requires about half of the labour hours a renovation project would need.
First, the dirt must be smoothed out. Then, drainage is installed. Sand is then added on top, which is smoothed out with rakes and a small machine called a sand pro.
It usually takes 2-5 weeks for golf greens to recover, depending on how much rain the area gets.
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