ALLIED UPDATES
Tips FOR TEE LEVELING
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eriodically leveling tees is a necessary part of long-term tee maintenance. Thousands of divots, overzealous use of divot mix and natural soil settling over time can leave tee surfaces bumpy and uneven. These issues may be especially pronounced on tees that receive heavy use, such as par-3 tees. When tees are unlevel, a variety of playability and turf issues can develop. For example, mowing becomes more difficult and the effective teeing area shrinks as golfers avoid places where they cannot find a level stance. Leveling tees remedies these issues and provides an excellent opportunity to address other concerns, such as thatch accumulation or improper surface drainage. While there are many ways to level teeing surfaces, being mindful of some basic considerations will help ensure a successful project regardless of the exact method chosen. When removing turf prior to leveling, it is best to include an area several feet beyond the tee surface itself. The additional work area makes it easier to tie-in the new grades and achieve adequate surface drainage. Be sure to mark any sprinklers or quickcouplers in and around the work area so they are not damaged during the turf removal or construction process. Sometimes, a dense layer of thatch remains after the turf is removed. If that is the case, consult with the golf course superintendent to determine whether making a second pass with the sod cutter to remove the excess material would be beneficial. Excess thatch is not conducive to achieving a smooth, level tee surface and it will negatively impact turf health. Leveling tees is an excellent opportunity to remove much of this material. The leveling process itself can be successfully performed in a variety of ways. The most appropriate method will be determined by project goals, budget and builder preferences. While laser-leveling has become increasingly popular, it is not necessary to
achieve a suitable teeing surface. Using laser-guided equipment does typically expedite the leveling process, however, and it delivers consistent results. In many cases, it is possible to level a tee surface by cutting and filling the existing soil. If it is necessary to import additional material, it is best to use material that is compatible with the existing soil so that the growing medium will be homogeneous. Rototilling or deep cultivation of the tee surface should be avoided because this disturbance will add to the time required to settle and firm the soil. Unnecessary disturbance also increases the risk of unwanted settling over time. Finished tee surfaces should have a minimum surface grade of 0.5 percent to ensure effective surface drainage. Whenever possible, the surface should slope away from access points to limit the amount of water flowing into these high-traffic
areas. Sloping a tee along with the natural grade typically limits the amount of soil that needs to be moved and will likely produce a more aesthetically pleasing result. While some believe that tees should be sloped in a particular direction regardless of the topography, the reality is that most golfers do not perceive the subtle slopes found on tee surfaces and are unlikely to be impacted by which direction the tee is sloping. Therefore, the direction of slope that most efficiently yields proper surface drainage is usually the best option. With today’s high expectations for the presentation and playability of teeing grounds, it is important to periodically level these surfaces. While the interval for leveling will vary based on use patterns and maintenance practices, this process should be considered a part of routine maintenance for tees.
Tee leveling is necessary to correct uneven surface conditions caused by divots, divot repair and natural soil settling.
GCBAA Earth Shaping News | 2ND Quarter 2018 17