Every self-respecting golfer has played at least a few holes in the rain, sometimes noticing puddles everywhere, other times being amazed at the fact that the ground remained dry despite the storm.
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In both cases, the culprit is drainage.
Golf, drains
Drainage is one of the fundamental aspects of a golf course, and it is an ancient art born to keep cultivated fields dry. Without it, soils soaked in rain would make the land uncultivable and the golf course unplayable. In fact, to grow anything, it is necessary to have a balance in the moisture of the soil.
What are drainage systems actually?
Drainage systems serve to manage the flow of water efficiently. By avoiding stagnation and eliminating excess rainwater or that from irrigation, they ensure that the turf remains dry, compact and resistant.
Effective drainage not only maintains optimal playing conditions, but also protects the turf from diseases caused by prolonged humidity and preserves the structural integrity of the course.
Surface Drainage vs. French Drain
There are two main types of drainage systems on golf courses: surface drainage and French Drain, often mistakenly called French Drain.
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Surface Drainage
This type of drainage uses the natural slope and contours of the land to direct water into ditches, ponds, or retention areas. By controlling the flow of surface water and keeping it moving, it is prevented from seeping underground and directed toward lakes, streams, and canals.
Properly draining the surface of a golf course is one of the primary duties of a golf course architect. Pete Dye used to say, Golf course architecture is the art of making a drainage look good.
The saying that putts always fall toward the nearest pond also comes from the logic of surface drainage.
French Drainage
French drainage is an ancient method that was first described by Henry Flagg French in his book Farm Drainage in 1859.
This method consists of an underground system designed to handle water that seeps into the ground. There are many variations of this method, but it basically consists of perforated pipes placed in trenches filled with gravel. The pipes collect and transport excess water underground to designated discharge points. This system is essential in soils with high clay content, and without it, golf would not exist outside of the Links.
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Any green you have ever played on (other than a Links) has a network of drainage pipes underneath the turf that allow it to exist.
Likewise, any depression or bunker has a drainage system that allows water to drain away without flooding the surface.
Drainage systems are an essential, but often overlooked, component of any golf course. These hidden networks work tirelessly to keep the turf dry, the course playable, and the game enjoyable for all golfers.
