While silica sand is generally preferred over calcareous sands due to its resistance to chemical weathering, many golf courses have been using calcareous sands successfully in bunkers for many years. Therefore, a high acid reaction should not disqualify a sand for consideration in bunkers.
What are golf course Sands made of?
Golf course sands are different. They are made of round particles “resembling a bucket of balls with large pore spaces between each ball,” Kidd says. They promote good drainage, and healthy air and water circulation.
What type of sand is best for golf balls?
Therefore, highly angular sand with low sphericity will obtain the best penetrometer reading and offer the best resistance to compression from the golf ball. This translates into a low tendency for a ball to bury in the sand, which minimizes the dreaded fried egg lie.
Should you put sand on your putting greens?
Applying sand to the putting greens is often a source of frustration for some players, but a quick look at how putting greens would perform without sand topdressing reveals its importance.
Is golf course sand good or bad for the environment?
That’s good for buildings, but bad for grass, as the sand binds together, reducing the air and water flow needed for healthy root growth. Golf course sands are different. They are made of round particles “resembling a bucket of balls with large pore spaces between each ball,” Kidd says.
What is the shape of sand?
Sand particle shape is just as critical as the particle size distribution and is characterized by the degree of angularity and sphericity. Sphericity is an indication of shape. Round particles have high sphericity and oblong particles have lower sphericity . Angular sands resemble a cut piece of glass with sharp, jagged edges, while a well-rounded sand is smooth and looks more like a potato. Figure 1 shows the six classifications used to describe angularity and the three classifications that describe sphericity. Selecting sands that range from very angular to subangular and have low to medium sphericity will likely produce desirable bunker playing conditions. Well-rounded, rounded and high-sphericity sands lead to soft conditions and buried lies.
What are the factors that affect the quality of sand in golf bunkers?
Additionally, there are many other factors to consider such as drainage, cost, vulnerability to wind and water erosion, crusting potential, chemical stability and color. All these characteristics will influence the quality of the golf experience and are key considerations in selecting sand for your golf course bunkers.
How to tell if sand is firm?
The uniformity coefficient (Cu) can be useful for predicting the relative firmness of sand by identifying if the material is narrowly or widely graded. A narrowly graded sand contains many particles of similar size and will have a relatively low Cu. Such material is more likely to produce buried lies and is more prone to erosion. Conversely, a widely graded sand is one that has particles of many different sizes and will generally produce firmer conditions due to the greater tendency for the sand to pack together. As a guideline, the Cu should range between 2.0-5.0. In a study by Bigelow and Hardebeck (2004), no meaningful relationship was detected between the Cu and the modified-penetrometer readings used for measuring firmness. However, Crum et. al. (2003) found a strong correlation between the Cu and bearing capacity – a measurement of material strength – in their study “ Agronomic and Engineering Properties of USGA Putting Greens .” The researchers used a modified California Bearing Ratio testing device to quantify the firmness and stability of sand rootzone mixtures for putting greens. When the Cu increased from 1.8 to 3.0, bearing capacity doubled. While this test is not used to evaluate bunker sands, it demonstrates the value of the Cu for predicting material stability in this study.
What are the characteristics of bunker sand?
There are nine key bunker sand characteristics that can be tested in a laboratory: particle size distribution, particle shape, coefficient of uniformity , angle of repose, penetrometer reading, infiltration rate, crusting potential, chemical reaction and color. The soil moisture release curve (SMRC) and moisture column tests will also be discussed. The following text will summarize these characteristics and how they are tested, and offer new perspectives based on current challenges observed in the field.
How many bunker sands were collected in 1985?
1. Particle size. In 1985 and 1986, USGA agronomists cooperated with golf courses across the United States to assess bunker sand quality and collected a total of 42 bunker sands for laboratory testing.
How much infiltration is needed for bunker sand?
The physical soil testing laboratory community has suggested that the minimum infiltration rate for bunker sand is 20 inches per hour, which was based on the 20-24 inch per hour infiltration rate guideline in the 1993 USGA Recommendations for a Method of Putting Green Construction. However, in my experience testing bunker sands on golf courses, I’ve seen that infiltration rates often decrease significantly – e.g., from 22.8 to only 7.5 inches per hour – in just two to three years! Silt and clay from wind-blown dust, organic debris from clippings, leaves from trees or shrubs, algae growth and soil contamination all can decrease infiltration rates. Bunker sands that initially drain from 30-100 inches per hour should work well, depending on the climate and site conditions.
How many mm of bunker sand should be in a bunker?
Less than 15% of the bunker sand particles should be in the very coarse fraction, between 1 and 2 mm.
What sand is used for bunker sand?
For many years, selecting bunker sand involved calling the local sand pit. Superintendents were often told, “We have mason sand, brick sand and concrete sand. I think what you want is our mason sand. That stuff would work great for you.” Mason sand might or might not be desirable sand for bunkers, but in the current golf climate, the days of calling the local sand pit are over. There are few places in the United States that have natural sand deposits that meet specifications for great bunker sand. Most premium bunker sand is manufactured in only a few locations throughout the country. These manufactured sands, along with a few rare natural deposits, make the process of finding great bunker sand difficult and expensive.
What makes bunker sand good?
Golf Association considers a list of eight factors when selecting bunker sand: particle size, particle shape, crusting potential, chemical reaction and hardness, infiltration rate, color, penetrometer value and playability. Depending on location and climate, how these factors are ranked vary slightly.
Where is Troon Golf located?
Troon Golf, which has the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz., in its portfolio, implements its support programs when it takes over management of a golf facility. “There’s no silver bullet for turning around a golf course operation,” says Steve Skinner, president of Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports Management.
Can round sand compact?
Round sands can’t compact. Therefore, highly angular sand with low sphericity will obtain the best penetrometer reading and offer the best resistance to compression from the golf ball. This translates into a low tendency for a ball to bury in the sand, which minimizes the dreaded fried egg lie. Penetrometer value.
Is Mason sand good for bunkers?
That stuff would work great for you.”. Mason sand might or might not be desirable sand for bunkers, but in the current golf climate, the days of calling the local sand pit are over. There are few places in the United States that have natural sand deposits that meet specifications for great bunker sand.
Who is the superintendent of San Diego Country Club?
Gary Dalton , superintendent at San Diego Country Club for the past 16 years, says he’ll draw a picture for his Spanish-speaking employees to help them gain a better understanding of what needs to be accomplished.
Who is the superintendent of Memorial Park Golf Course?
Jason Harsh, superintendent at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, says he has learned key words in Spanish to work a little better with his employees who speak limited English. Learning the Spanish word for soil, sand, shovel, rake, etc., has been effective for him daily at his 18-hole, city-owned course.
Why do you put sand on putting greens?
So the next time you tee it up, remember that sand is applied to putting greens to create the smooth, firm surfaces that everyone enjoys.
What makes a putting surface a good surface?
Since the time of Old Tom Morris, sand topdressing has been the great equalizer, helping to dilute organic material and create smooth, firm surfaces. These benefits are discussed in detail in the article, “ Managing Organic Matter in Putting Greens ” and the USGA Collection, “ Managing Soil Organic Matter .” Applying sand to the putting greens is often a source of frustration for some players, but a quick look at how putting greens would perform without sand topdressing reveals its importance.
What grass is used in golf courses?
Bentgrass or Bermuda grass is the contemporary favorite for this, with Bent grass being more common in the north and Bermuda grass in the south. Older or less well-maintained courses may use ryegrass or annual bluegrass, which are hardier but tend to give a bumpier surface.
What is the most common grass in golf clubs?
In the United States, Perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass has traditionally been the most common. They are very popular with golf club managers and owners as they are low maintenance, hardy, and robust. They can stand up to a lot of golfers’ feet and golf balls before they need reseeding or relaying.
What grass is good for playing in the heat?
In cool climates, a variety of grass called Creeping Bentgrass has become increasingly popular as it tolerates close cutting, which gives a fast surface for play. However, further south, where dry conditions and high heat are the norms, it is likely that you will find yourself playing on Zoysiagrass.
What grass grows best in hot weather?
Golf course managers hate this, as do golfers. Bermuda grass is the answer. It grows in the driest of climates and will tolerate long droughts. In fact, it thrives best in hot weather. It is often paired with Zoysia grass, another variety that does well in drought conditions.
What type of grass is used in golf?
It is usually Kentucky bluegrass or Perennial Rye, which grow well to longer lengths. This type of grass, especially when it is allowed to grow longer, makes it harder to hit the ball, which is why golfers try to avoid getting stuck in the rough.
What is the characteristic of grass on putting greens?
Therefore, the critical characteristic of grass on putting greens is that it is short and smooth. This means a type of grass that tolerates regular shortcutting.
Why should I care about golf?
You may be saying, “this is all very interesting, but why should I care?” All golfers should care because it will affect your game. Different grasses have different characteristics, and if you know this, you can vary your shots and adapt your game accordingly. Then you will have the advantage in competition rounds or even in friendly play.
What is the process of adding sand to a golf course?
Adding sand to golf course grass is a process known as ‘topdressing’ and is vital to the healthy growth of the grass across the course.
What is the Best Grass for a Golf Course?
The best type of grass to use on a golf course is a variety that is tough and fast repairing.
What type of grass is used for putting surfaces?
Bentgrass and Bermudagrass tend to take the limelight, particularly where putting surfaces are discussed, and for good reason.
What is considered a consideration in designing a golf course?
One of the most significant considerations of all course designers is which variety of grass should be used in each area of the course.
Why do golf courses use water?
Depending on the climate, golf course maintenance staff implement a water management system all year round to ensure their grass receives the ideal amount of water to thrive.
What grass is used in golf courses in Florida?
In the US, courses in Florida and Georgia utilize Bermudagrass, as it is heat and drought resistant and is receptive to being mowed low, which is ideal for cultivating smooth putting surfaces.
What is the primary influence of golf course grass?
As this article introduces, there are several types of golf course grass used in the US, and one of the primary influences is the climate that the course experiences for the majority of the year.
What grass is used in golf courses?
However, newer courses built in northern climates after 1980 often use creeping bentgrass in the fairways because it tolerates low cuttings. Some courses, mainly in southern climates, also use zoysiagrass, which can tolerate high heat and drought.
What kind of grass is used on golf fairways?
The kinds of grasses vary the greatest on golf course fairways. Most courses older than 25 years have perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass fairways. These are low maintenance and durable grasses that hold up in many kinds of climates, and can withstand a lot of play.
What grass is on the fairways?
Grass just off the fairways on most courses is either Kentucky bluegrass or perennial rye. These are hardy grasses that can thrive in most climates, and do well when they grow a bit longer. Most of the rough on courses often is as much as one-half inch or more longer than the the grass on fairways. Bluegrass and ryegrass are suitable for ...
Where did the grass grow in golf?
The grass was whatever grew naturally in the links' sandy soil along Scotland's coast. But today, the kind of grass is a key part of the game.
