Golf course irrigation sprinklers operate at high pressures–65 to 100 psi at the base of the sprinkler, requiring 110 psi plus at the water supply. The pressure may be created by a pump in the water source or boosted if a pressurized potable or effluent source is being used.
How do golf courses irrigate their ponds?
The pond will then have a large pump station to provide the larger flow required to irrigate the golf course in an appropriate time period. An increasing number of golf courses utilize effluent/recycled water to irrigate their turf, if it is available to their facility.
How do golf courses irrigation systems work?
These funnel the water flow into the sprinklers. Out of the many kinds of rotary and pop-up heads are used by the Golf Courses to give them a 360-degree turn. This is a chemical that is injected into the irrigation system so it can be spread and absorbed by turf along with the water.
What is the difference between landscape irrigation and Golf irrigation?
Unlike landscape irrigation controllers with a water budgeting feature, golf irrigation systems have the ability to adjust run times based on the type of area being irrigated (green, tee, fairway, rough) per field controller and per sprinkler.
What is the pressure of irrigation on a golf course?
Golf course irrigation sprinklers operate at high pressures–65 to 100 psi at the base of the sprinkler, requiring 110 psi plus at the water supply. The pressure may be created by a pump in the water source or boosted if a pressurized potable or effluent source is being used.
How does an irrigation pond work?
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How long do irrigation systems typically last on golf courses?
The life expectancy of a typical irrigation system varies from 10 to 30 years, depending on the geographic location of the course and the demands on the system. Good preventive maintenance can extend a system's longevity, but sooner or later, your irrigation will need to be renovated or replaced.
Why do they have ponds on golf course?
Many golf courses use their ponds as water retention devices that the irrigation system pulls from nightly. If it weren't for the ponds, the water bill of a single golf course could easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of 12 short months.
How do golf courses keep their ponds clean?
A dredge for golf course ponds is the basis for dredging. The machine works by pumping the water and sludge out through a submersible pump and into a series of bladder bags or dewatering tubes. These bags have minuscule holes, which let the water escape but keep the muck inside.
How long does irrigation tubing last?
Drip irrigation tubing is also known to degrade when exposed to UV light. According to landscape professionals in the Albuquerque area, you can expect the tubing to last for about ten years if it is buried.
How long do irrigation heads last?
While different parts of your system may need replacing throughout its life, you can expect the average sprinkler system to last for upwards of 20 years. During that time, you'll likely need to replace your sprinkler heads around the 10-year mark if using high-quality heads.
How deep is a golf pond?
Golf balls are retrieved from water hazards on courses all over the world, and while the water depth is rarely more than 40 feet -- and usually less than half that -- divers can easily become disoriented or overly weighted down by the reclaimed balls and equipment.
What do you call a pond on a golf course?
Lakes, ponds, and so forth are now called "penalty areas" in the rulebook, but golfers will be making casual references to "water hazards" for decades to come.
Are golf course ponds toxic?
Farms and golf courses use a variety of chemicals and pesticides that can kill fish and other aquatic animals if sprayed near or in water. Sometimes the chemicals -- even those properly applied -- can be flushed into a canal or pond as run-off during a torrential rainstorm.
Why do golf courses have water features?
Most golf projects include a significant amount of water features for reasons ranging from the need to generate dirt to providing enhanced aesthetic value. The key when designing a course is to attempt to balance these interests in a way that provides the maximum benefit throughout the life of the project.
Why do golf course lakes need PVC?
To conserve water in golf course lakes, it’s typical to line them with an impervious membrane to prevent leaking. PVC liners have been the material of choice for the lake industry.
What nutrients are needed to control algae blooms?
Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are food for algae and, consequently, their presence in large quantities almost ensures the algae blooms that superintendents frequently battle. Our strategy for controlling the problem takes a two-pronged approach.
How is phosphorus removed from a pond?
Phosphorus is removed through chemical reactions with mineral-rich soil of the pond floor.
How deep should a lake be for aeration?
For good aeration, the preferable lake water depth is 15 feet, and 10 feet as a minimum.
Is PVC a good lake bottom?
A PVC liner must be covered with soil, and from an aesthetic viewpoint, a soil bottom is the most desirable lake bottom surface. There are other materials that have been used in lake systems; some covered and some uncovered. But PVC continues to be the most suitable for this type of work.
What are the components of a golf course irrigation system?
Every course is different and will require a unique approach, but here are some of the main components seen in golf course irrigation systems. Lakes, Canals, Ponds, etc. The Pumping Station.
Why is it important to irrigate when there are no golfers on the course?
Of course, it is also optimal to irrigate when there are not golfers on the course, as most don’t ask for their game with a shower. Your irrigation schedule should be intimately informed by climate and weather.
What is a golf facility services company?
A golf facility services company can provide a free evaluation and create a plan that shows you what changes, if any, you need to make to optimize your irrigation practices. DTE Golf has golf maintenance and management professionals standing by, ready to answer your questions, meet you in person, and tour your course, all for free.
What is a pop up head in golf?
This is a chemical that is injected into the irrigation system so it can be spread and absorbed by turf along with the water.
What is the most common issue a golf course faces?
Even more important is to recognize when the old irrigation system has got to go. An older or obsolete irrigation system is one of the most common issues a golf course faces, and typically, they face away from it.
Why is it important to change course maintenance?
Just because you have an irrigation schedule that works that doesn’t mean it will work every year. Even more important is to recognize when the old irrigation system has got to go.
How should irrigation schedules be informed?
Your irrigation schedule should be intimately informed by climate and weather. Depending on your climate, and the season you’re in, irrigation timing and method may have to change, possibly on a seasonal basis. Make sure your course maintenance is being changed often to account for everyday differences in circumstances.
How efficient is golf course irrigation?
Golf course irrigation systems are normally in the 80% efficiency range, the highest achievable efficiency with overhead irrigation. The general public looks at the large green expanse of a golf course and the amount of water it uses and assumes that the golf course is wasting water.
What is pressure regulated in golf course irrigation?
Each individual sprinkler is pressure-regulated so that the sprinkler receives its intended pressure regardless of elevation change or distance from the water supply. Golf course irrigation sprinklers are the most uniform applicators of water of any sprinkler manufactured.
What are the inputs needed to maintain a golf course?
Depending on the quality of the golf course, some need more inputs than others. One of the needed inputs to maintain a healthy playing surface is, of course, water.
What is a golf course superintendent?
Golf course superintendents are highly educated individuals. They are not only educated and trained in the operation of the specific irrigation control system installed at their facilities, but also in soils and turf grass.
What percentage of golf course water is effluent?
Effluent: 12%. Many golf courses use a combination of sources, hence the total percentage in the list is over 100%. For example, although water may not be pumped directly from a well into the irrigation system due to the large flow required by the irrigation system, the well is instead used to fill an irrigation pond.
How many sprinklers are needed for a golf course?
A golf course can have between 500 and 5,000 sprinklers, or even more installed throughout an 18-hole facility. A golf irrigation sprinkler uses 18–45 gallons per minute throwing 50–90 feet with as many as 100 sprinklers operating at the same time.
What is the percentage of water used in golf courses?
According to GCSAA, golf course water sources break down as follows: Many golf courses use a combination of sources, hence the total percentage in the list is over 100%.
What are the water features of a golf course?
Among all the constructed water features found in a golf course development, irrigation reservoirs are the largest. In some cases, they may cover dozens of acres. Typically, they’re used to provide water for the course’s irrigation systems. This water can be used for both the nightly or weekly watering regimen, or as long-term storage in case of an extended dry spell or drought. Ponds may be used to mitigate flooding problems in rainy weather and in some cases, developers can even coordinate with local municipalities to assist with meeting their needs, like receiving and storing local treated effluent. Aside from purely practical uses, lakes can be sited to provide visual appeal, increase the value of waterfront lots, and support diverse wildlife habitats. As the scope of amenities in planned developments expand, lakes large enough to support boating, sport fishing and other recreation may become par for the course.
What is the best liner for a golf course pond?
The most versatile liner on the market today and perfect for your golf course pond needs, Aqua Armor maximizes protection from harmful UV rays, tear resistance and punctures that cause leaks. Simply the best liner on the market.
Can you get a snake in a pond?
Safety is another aspect of aesthetics that you don’t want to overlook. If you have a tangled mess of weeds around the outside of the pond people can't get to their balls. More importantly, that area could harbor snakes or alligators and be a danger to golfers trying to get in there. In addition, overgrown areas near ponds can harbor biting insects like mosquitoes or flies.
Can algae get on turf?
The first aspect is algae in the irrigation water. So this can be a source of algae that gets on the turf and causes turf algae which can really harm and discolor the turf grass.
Aesthetics and Playability
Irrigation
- It is common for at least one of the lakes or ponds on a course to act as a reservoir for the irrigation system. Due to this, the construction and positioning will have special requirements. First, maximize the size of the lake to enhance its storage capacity. The bigger the better because the water is an emergency storage for your course. Keep in ...
Drainage
- By placing the lake or pond in the lowest elevation, you maximize the amount of drainage that can reach it. Therefore, you are capturing and recycling as much rainfall as possible. With drainage comes risk of water quality. Despite superintendents’ excellent safety record with water quality, contamination due to fertilizer, pesticides, and other chemicals, are a threat. This is such a conc…
Safety
- Once we have the lakes positioned, our focus turns to the specifics of their design and construction. Among our major concerns are water tightness, water quality and, perhaps most importantly, safety. Golf course ponds are often referred to as “attractive nuisances” for the simple reason that they may lure people to a potentially dangerous situation. Accordingly, we m…
Water Quality
- Water quality is also a major concern, and Rick McGuire of Waterscapers reports that it is in large part related to the quantity of oxygen and nutrients in the lake. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are food for algae and, consequently, their presence in large quantities almost ensures the algae blooms that superintendents frequently battle. Our strategy for controlling th…
Water Conservation
- As water becomes a more precious commodity, its conservation will become an increasingly important issue as well. To conserve water in golf course lakes, it’s typical to line them with an impervious membrane to prevent leaking. PVC liners have been the material of choice for the lake industry. This material is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, durable and has a proven track re…