12th Green Drainage (LHS) & 13th Path Improvement

Today (Tuesday 18th November) we started work to improve the drainage problem on the LHS of the 12th green.  Surface water and puddling is becoming more evident despite this being a sand based constructed green.

Surface water on left hand side of 12th green.

Excessive surface thatch and shade problems around the green (poor sunlight & air flow) will contribute to the surface water we can see in above photo.

Whilst the thatch and shade problems also need addressing, you will notice from the short video below that much of the water comes from the path near the green and by the 13th tee.  Video footage is a bit shaky but hopefully you get the idea!

Over time, water running from the path has deteriorated the turf near the green.

This area is being dug out and will be re instated as grass by turfing back to the path edge.

 The other work planned for this project includes:-

• Surface channel drains being installed along path edge to divert most of water before reaching the green.
• Astro turf at top of the hill has been lifted and to be replaced with the black rubber mats using path material to fill the holes.
• The various bits of astro turf by the 13th tee are being lifted and the tee bank being graded to allow surface water run off.  The banking will then be re turfed to the path edge.  This will also give better definition and make this area more pleasing to the eye.
• Other surface channel drains and a catchment area will be installed to remove surface water from the 13th tee area.
• Install drainage line on outer edge of 12th green.

Astro turf been rolled up, ready to be taken away.

Hardcore material being removed.

Hardcore not to be wasted and used to do some much needed road repair, just a few yards away!

Drainage being installed using surface catchment channels at points along the path, feeding into main outlet pipe which will discharge into the burn.

 Now for turf preparation and laying by the 12th green.

Preparation prior to turfing with surface drainage installed.

Robin and James laying the turf on 28th November.

Turfing complete, drain channel installed and roped off during turf 'growing in'.

Turf preparation and laying by 13th tee.

Ready for turf!

Turf layed on 28th November.

Now for the path surface finishing.

Compacting plate used.

Rubber mats replaces the astro turf.

Path material evenly raked out.

Most water from surrounding area has been intercepted using drain channels on paths and has worked well following recent rainfall.  

The final phase of the planned work is to improve drainage on the edge of the green.  Below you can see turf being lifted and root zone removed, down to gravel layer.

Turf has been cut and lifted.

Root zone being dug out.

Root zone on top of gravel layer.

                                         

In the above photo of the root zone shows a heavy thatch layer at the top along with an orange colour which has been aneorobic and retaining excess water.  The thatch layer will significantly slow down water infiltration / percolation through the surface and root zone.

We tested the gravel layer and drain - short video clip below illustrates water percolation is good, so not necessary to remove.

A simple test and gives confidence that sub surface drainage works.

Fresh root zone being replaced and consolidated down.

Turf at front edge of green uneven, sometimes causing scalping so lifted
and smoothed out.

All turf re layed on Tuesday 16th December 2014.

TURFING near 6th GREEN

The turf quality left hand side of the 6th green has deterioted which has been highlighted following two dry summers.  Reasons for the turf deteriorating in this area is due to a combination of the following:-

• High levels of concentrated traffic from golf and greenkeeping equipment.
• Lack of water, aeration and nutrient for growth.
• Established trees in surrounding area that takes water away from plant.

Before Turfing.

Before Turfing.

Being only few yards from the green and very much in play, it's essential this was re turfed to improve playability and make more aesthetically pleasing.  A straightforward process of preparing the ground then re laying new turf - a hard wear perennial ryegrass and fescue mix was used.

Monday 20th October, a few days after turfing.

Monday 20th October, a few days after turfing.

October is an ideal time for carrying out this job because there is no additional pressure for watering or the grass drying out like during summer months. Roots are still active and will already be established by next spring.

Tuesday 18th November, about 4 weeks after turf layed.

Turf now strongly rooted and blending in well with surrounding area.

A straight forward job carried out by the greenstaff with little cost and a notable improvement.  The next challenge is to maintain a good grass cover on this area throughout the year.  Plans are in the pipeline to add sprinkler heads to cover this area which would help make more manageable during dry spells.