Miles Bennett
SubAir Systems are underground systems used by high-end golf courses to regulate moisture levels and provide aeration and heat control, allowing greens teams to maintain green condition, regardless of the weather conditions. SubAir Systems provide aeration, moisture removal, and root zone temperature control to create an optimal subsurface growing environment for deep-rooted, resilient, healthy green grass. The system integrates with USGA drainage networks already installed under most greens. SubAir Systems can be installed without impacting the playing surface and can be controlled manually, time-scheduled, or activated via smartphone or computer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation | Installs in one day with no impact on the playing surface |
| Integration | Integrates with USGA drainage networks already installed under most greens |
| Operation | Automated operation with custom-designed operating systems |
| Moisture Control | Removes water 36 times faster than natural gravity drainage |
| Aeration | Provides aeration and moisture removal |
| Temperature Control | Controls root zone temperature |
| Root System | Delivers air to the root system, encouraging growth |
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What You'll Learn
- SubAir systems can be installed with minimal disruption to the playing surface
- SubAir systems can remove water from the soil profile, drying greens faster
- SubAir systems can push air into the soil profile, reducing soil temperatures
- SubAir systems can be used to control temperatures in the root zone
- SubAir systems can be installed into the existing drain system of a USGA specification green
SubAir systems can be installed with minimal disruption to the playing surface
SubAir Systems are designed to provide aeration, moisture removal, and root zone temperature control, creating an optimal subsurface growing environment for healthy grass. This system is particularly useful for golf courses, where a smooth and consistent playing surface is essential.
The installation of SubAir Systems can be completed with minimal disruption to the playing surface. In fact, a single SubAir unit can be installed in just one day, with no impact on the playing surface. This is because the system integrates with existing USGA drainage networks that are already installed under most greens. All installation work is done away from the green's playing surface, so golfers can continue to use the course without interference.
The SubAir system can be attached to the existing network of drainage pipes beneath the surface, acting like a giant vacuum to remove moisture from the ground. This vacuum mode pulls air and water from the surface through the soil and into the drain pipes, removing water 36 times faster than natural gravity drainage, which minimizes downtime and turf damage.
The SubAir control panel can be programmed to automatically introduce fresh air to the soil at set intervals, or this can be overridden manually by a user via smartphone or computer. This fresh air can be introduced in two ways: a top-down vacuum mode or a bottom-up pressure mode.
By installing SubAir Systems, golf courses can achieve a more consistent and smooth playing surface, extend the growing season by moderating root zone temperatures, and increase turf recovery, all with minimal disruption to the surface during installation.
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SubAir systems can remove water from the soil profile, drying greens faster
SubAir Systems are subsurface aeration and moisture management systems that can be installed in golf courses to improve turf health and playability. The system integrates with existing USGA drainage networks installed under most greens, with no disruption to the playing surface.
The SubAir system can be operated in two modes: Vacuum Mode and Pressure Mode. In Vacuum Mode, air is pulled from the surface through the soil and into the drain pipes, along with any non-capillary water. This mode removes water 36 times faster than natural drainage, minimising downtime and turf damage. The water is drained out through the low-end drainage system, while the air flows out through an exhaust.
In Pressure Mode, fresh air is forced through the drainage pipes and up through the gravel layer, subsoil, and out to the surface. This mode stabilises oxygen and moisture levels and moderates extreme subsurface temperatures. As the gravel layer fills with fresh air, pressure pushes air up through the subsoil, forcing out waste gases, drying perched water pockets, and delivering fresh air around the root system.
By removing excess moisture from the subsoil, SubAir Systems can speed up the drying process of greens. This is particularly effective when used as a daily turf maintenance practice, as it delivers fresh air to the root zones, balances oxygen and moisture levels, and promotes sustained plant growth. The system can also be used to prevent the accumulation of light snow or ice during colder months and alleviate turf stress during the summer by pumping cooler air into the profile.
Overall, SubAir Systems provide golf courses with a powerful tool to manage turf health and playing conditions, ensuring a consistent, firm, and fast playing surface.
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SubAir systems can push air into the soil profile, reducing soil temperatures
SubAir systems are subsurface aeration and moisture management systems that can benefit golf courses in several ways. One of the key functions of SubAir is its ability to manage soil temperatures by pushing air into the soil profile.
The system can operate in two modes: vacuum mode and pressure mode. In pressure mode, fresh air is forced through the drainage pipes and up through the gravel layer, subsoil, and out to the surface. This process helps to stabilise oxygen and moisture levels, as well as moderate extreme subsurface temperatures. By pushing air into the soil profile, the system can reduce soil temperatures, particularly during hot weather. This feature is especially beneficial for golf courses located in warm climates, as it helps alleviate turf stress caused by high temperatures.
The ability to moderate temperatures in the subsoil can extend the growing season for turfgrass. By aerating through the system's pipes and subsoil layers, SubAir can alter the temperature of the air before it reaches the root zones. This temperature modification can improve surface temperatures by 6-8 degrees Celsius, creating an optimal subsurface growing environment for deep-rooted, resilient, and healthy grass.
Additionally, SubAir systems aid in the removal of trapped gases from the subsurface while eliminating anaerobic conditions. By forcing air up through the soil profile, the system can promote healthier plant growth. The air can be warmed or cooled by the subsurface soil, depending on the ambient temperature, further optimising the growing conditions for turfgrass.
While SubAir systems offer significant benefits, it is important to acknowledge their limitations. The effectiveness of SubAir in altering soil temperature is influenced by other factors, including sunlight, air temperature, and humidity. Additionally, the system primarily affects the temperature of the subsoil rather than the top inch of the soil profile, which has the highest impact on firmness due to its higher organic matter content. Nevertheless, SubAir technology can be a valuable tool for golf course managers to enhance turf health and create optimal playing surfaces.
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SubAir systems can be used to control temperatures in the root zone
SubAir Systems are subsurface aeration and moisture management systems used by high-end golf courses to regulate moisture levels, provide aeration, and control heat, allowing greens teams to maintain the condition of the grass, regardless of the weather conditions.
The Hydronics temperature control system, when used with a SubAir Vault, will maintain ideal root zone temperatures during warm and cool seasons. It does this by pumping warm or cool fluid into the soil beneath the green or playing surface. The fluid travels from a holding tank to the surface via a supply pipe and then circulates through a network of flexible tubing under the root zone.
The Hydronics system, when paired with a SubAir Vault, creates an airflow through the root zone that evenly distributes the heating or cooling effects of the Hydronic tubing. This even treatment of the playing surface eliminates hot and cold spots in the soil, resulting in optimal growing conditions.
The Vacuum Mode, when used as daily turf maintenance, delivers fresh air to the root zones and balances oxygen and moisture levels in the growing zones to achieve sustained plant growth.
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SubAir systems can be installed into the existing drain system of a USGA specification green
SubAir systems are used by high-end golf courses to regulate moisture levels and provide aeration and heat control, allowing greens teams to maintain the condition of the greens regardless of the weather conditions. The system integrates with USGA drainage networks already installed under most greens.
The SubAir system can be used in two ways: vacuum mode and pressure mode. In vacuum mode, air is pulled from the surface through the soil and into the drain pipes, along with any non-capillary water. This removes water 36 times faster than natural gravity drainage, minimising downtime and turf damage. The water flows through an air/water separator to drain out through the low-end drainage system, as it normally would; the air flows out the exhaust. In pressure mode, air is pushed up through the soil to optimise growing conditions with aeration and temperature control.
The SubAir system is attached to the existing network of drainage pipes beneath the putting surface. It acts like a giant vacuum cleaner, hoovering moisture from below. The system can be installed into the existing drain system of a USGA specification green, which means there won't be a significant impact in terms of excavation and rebuilding work. Once in place, a vault containing a blower unit is installed at the greenside, which can be set electronically to function either in moisture removal or pressure mode.
The SubAir system is used at some of the world's best golf courses, including Augusta National, Quail Hollow, Wentworth, Adare Manor, East Lake, Colonial, and Sentosa. It is also used at a number of sports stadia around the globe. Installing, operating, and maintaining these systems is expensive, and a cost-benefit analysis is necessary before courses decide to implement them.
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Frequently asked questions
A SubAir system is an underground system used by high-end golf courses to regulate moisture levels, provide aeration and control heat, allowing greens teams to maintain the condition of the grass, regardless of the weather conditions.
SubAir systems can be installed into the existing drain system of a green. A vault containing a blower unit is installed at the greenside which can be set to function in moisture removal or pressure mode. In moisture removal mode, water and air are sucked through the turf by the blower – water goes into the drainage system and air is sucked into the vault and then above ground. In pressure mode, air is pushed through the drainage pipes and up to the surface.
SubAir systems can help to extend the growing season beyond normal seasonal variations by moderating temperatures in the root zone. They can also remove water from the soil 36 times faster than natural gravity drainage, minimising downtime and turf damage.
The SubAir system was invented by Marsh Benson, the senior director of golf course and grounds at Augusta National.
SubAir systems are used at many famous golf courses including Augusta National, Wentworth, East Lake, and Quail Hollow, the 2025 PGA Championship venue.
