Physical Characteristics of Soil Mixtures Used for Golf Green Construction¹

Abstract

Large amounts of money are invested each year in the preparation of mixtures for the construction of golf greens and athletic fields. Few efforts have been made to completely characterize the physical properties of the resulting greens. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the physical characteristics of a range of sand and soil mixtures for golf green construction. Treatment variables included the amount and texture of soil used in the mixture and the presence or absence of a sand layer between the mixture and the gravel drainage layer. The mixtures were placed in 30 cm diam. containers. They were compacted and grass was established. Infiltration rates decreased after the grass was established and decreased again after the soil mixture was compacted. Mixtures with greater than 3% clay had infiltration rates too small to assure a playable surface after heavy water applications. The depth of available water held by mixtures with 5% soil averaged 6.6 cm for a 35 cm layer. Pure sands held about half this amount of water. Measured water retention agreed well with that calculated from the unsaturated conductivity of the gravel layer and the water retention characteristics of the mixture. Provided the gravel used as the drainage layer has a particle distribution such that less than half the particles are greater than 0.64 cm, little evidence of particle migration was found even without a layer of sand between the mixture and the gravel. Optimum physical characteristics were achieved with mixture containing 5% soil, 85% sand, and 10% peat moss by volume.

Root growth dynamics in golf greens with different compression intensities and winter survival

“…Although trampling did not significantly affect total porosity or bulk density (Table 3), intensive foot traffic and wear tore the cells of turfgrasses, and apparently closed macropores of thatchy soil surface. The results of soil volume and mass relationships indicate that the putting green mixture of sand and peat restricted soil compaction, thus agreeing with Swartz and Kardos (1963) or Brown and Duble (1975). Soil compaction was, although slightly, recorded by increased soil mechanical impedance (Fig.…”

Physical characteristics of particle size and distribution on Penncross bentgrass

“…Brown & Dubie (1975) also showed that a range of particle sizes gave good results for golf green construction. Therefore other physical properties should be considered in the selection of a mixture of aggregate sizes to meet the needs of environmental conditions.…”

“…AlthQugh a size range between 0.5 and 1.0 mm appears tQ be best, gQQd roQt penetratiQn was 'Obtained over a wide range 'Of particle sizes. Brown & Dubie (1975) alsQ showed that a range 'Of particle sizes gave good results fQr gQlf green cQnstructiQn.…”

Preliminary investigations of sand growth media for cotula

“…The reduction in percolation rate of the finest aggregate « 0.5 mm), even without amendment or plant growth, would suggest that percolation would be borderline based on observations of local greens which have been constructed of fine wind-blown sand. The effect of cotula growth on percolation rate is not known, but with turfgrass (Brown & DubIe 1975) percolation was markedly reduced and the minimum rate of 14 cm/hour preferred by Radko (1974) could be reached. Conversely the two coarser layers were lacking in moisture retention.…”