Underground Essentials: Tips for Golf Course Drainage Drainage is essential to the success of any golf facility. Without it, playing conditions and golfer satisfaction are sure to suffer. Soft conditions, muddy golf balls, cart restrictions and dead grass are common problems associated with poor drainage that negatively impact playing quality and revenue. The first step in addressing golf course drainage issues is correctly identifying the problem. The most common causes of drainage problems on golf courses are inadequate surface drainage, impermeable soils, side-hill seepage and high water tables. Drainage issues can also be caused by inadequate, clogged or failing drainage systems. To successfully diagnose drainage issues, it is best to observe problem areas when the course is wet and the problems are clearly visible. As the old adage says, “Plan when it is wet and install when it is dry.” Once the drainage problem is diagnosed, the next step is to create a plan and implement the solution. There are many ways to address drainage issues and it is important to consider the course as a whole when planning drainage projects. This ensures that drainage improvements occur in a coordinated fashion and that extra effort and cost is avoided. Some drainage problems can be solved by simply regrading an area. Other problems require complex pipe networks and even pump systems. Regardless of the problem, the best solution will always be site specific.
Successful drainage projects improve playing conditions, reduce maintenance costs and enhance the golf experience.
Installing drainage is an art unto itself. While each project is different, here are a few basic tips for success: •
Work with the golf course superintendent to identify underground pipes in the area. If pipes cannot be precisely located with a map or wire tracker, some exploratory digging by hand can save a lot of headaches down the road.
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Use plywood to protect turf from traffic and spillage. Plywood limits damage to the playing surface and makes cleanup much easier.
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Single-wall pipes should be buried a minimum of 20 inches deep to prevent crushing. Double-wall corrugated pipe can be safely buried 12 inches deep.
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Sand is the preferred backfill material for most subsurface drainage because it filters fine particles and resists settlement better than gravel.
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Gravel can perform well as a backfill material if it is sized to ensure that trenches remain stable and fine particles will not migrate into the drainage system. A physical soil testing laboratory can determine the appropriate gravel size for a specific site.
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Using GPS technology and GIS mapping software to create as-built maps of drainage work can make future projects and maintenance much easier.
Drainage projects may not be glamorous, but the benefits are significant. Successful drainage projects improve playing conditions, reduce maintenance costs and enhance the golf experience. For more information on golf course drainage, refer to the USGA Green Section Collection “Drainage on Golf Courses.” Additional resources on golf course drainage and other topics can be found on the Course Care section of USGA.org.
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