The Basics Of Golf Course Irrigation

By Joshua Brown


Part of designing a golf course involves having it installed with systems to be used to supply water to the grass adequately and in a convenient manner. Grass needs water in order for it to thrive. Otherwise, grass that is not adequately and properly watered becomes starved and make it unsuitable to play on the landscape. The purpose of this article will be to explain some of the basics involved in golf course irrigation process.

Three main options exist for irrigating golf courses, that is, surface, sub-surface, and in-ground irrigation. So far, the most commonly used methods are the sub-surface and surface irrigating ones. Surface irrigating involves the use of an irrigating system that is placed on top of the ground. For instance, if sprinklers used for irrigating the landscape are located on top of the ground, it is called surface irrigating.

Sub-surface irrigating systems are more prevalent when compared to surface irrigating systems because they are more advantageous. In sub-surface irrigation, the entire system used for the supply of water is buried in the ground. The absence of the system on the ground promotes beauty on the landscape. It would be unsightly if the course had pipes running all over it.

Safety is much higher on landscapes where irrigating systems are located underground. Players are able to see the courses with increased clarity because there is nothing to obstruct their view. Accidents resulting from irrigating components are eliminated too. Obstruction caused by water systems is not an issue in this case because they are underground. Movement of the ball is not obstructed by water systems too.

Sub-surface irrigating systems have their infrastructure located beneath the ground surface, but water supply is done over the ground. For example, sprinklers are usually located beneath the ground surface when they are not in use. When the sprinklers are needed to water the ground, they protrude from the ground to supply water. They automatically return into the ground when watering is complete. There are also some systems that supply water underground without protruding up.

Whereas underground systems are advantageous because they provide a clear view of the field, with no obstacles and obstructions, it is also associated with certain disadvantages. The first and the major disadvantage is that it is usually very problematic to repair and maintain the system. Accessing the irrigating system and components to repair and maintain them is problematic because they are located underground.

The only way to access the infrastructure is by digging through the lawn. Repairs to the lawn can be done later after the problem in the irrigating system has been fixed. This whole process is costly, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. While the field is being repaired, it is impossible for any game to be played on it.

Lastly, it can be hard to detect problems in the irrigating system if close monitoring is not done to it. However, this problem is partly solved by dividing the irrigation system into zones. Zones are usually smaller than sections, which can be monitored with ease. They also help to maintain high pressure in the water supplied.




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