Hitting a big drive down the middle of the fairway is a great feeling. Seeing that your ball bounced backwards from where it landed in the fairway; not so much. Soft conditions and getting only a yard or two of bounce and roll from tee shots are common after golf courses experience heavy rain. These conditions can be even more severe if flooding occurs.
In addition to impacting playing conditions, floods can cause some serious damage that leaves a lasting impact on golf courses. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, thunderstorms, ice storms, blizzards, and rapid snow or ice melt can cause severe flooding. Floodwaters and saturated conditions also can severely inhibit daily maintenance and access to many areas of a golf course.
When submersed for long periods, grass is deprived of oxygen and begins to die. Further, damage can be magnified if floodwaters contain salt water or contaminate irrigation ponds. In severe situations, removing the soil and reestablishing turf may be required to remedy flood-affected areas. Materials to alleviate sodium and chloride damage may also be required. Beyond the damage caused by floodwater, deposits of silt, rock and debris can prevent routine maintenance and take weeks or even months to clear.
Flooding can also damage golf course structures and other features. Floodwaters can wash away bridges and damage the floors and walls of buildings. Bunkers are especially susceptible to erosion, collapsed faces and sand contamination when floods occur. Repairs may require days, weeks or even months to complete and can cost thousands of dollars per bunker. Even if bunkers are lined, have drainage systems and are shaped to divert water away from the sand, they may still experience severe damage during flooding. It is worth considering the removal or renovation of problematic bunkers, especially in the aftermath of a flood, to reduce future maintenance and repair costs.
