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In most parts of the U.S., it's virtually impossible to maintain golf course turfgrass in a playable condition throughout the year without an irrigation system. In fact, there are very few locations in the world where acceptable playing conditions – particularly for putting greens – can be maintained year-round without supplemental irrigation. That makes irrigation system maintenance critical. Just like there are equipment technicians on staff to work on specialized golf course mowers, there must be staff time dedicated to caring for the vast and complex irrigation system and its components.

All irrigation systems – even the best – require constant maintenance and will become more prone to problems with age. Eventually they need to be replaced, but the cost of a new system often means that older systems are used far longer than superintendents would prefer. Developing a preventive maintenance program is the best way to minimize the severity and frequency of problems and extend the life of a system, regardless of its age. It’s also an important strategy to conserve water, reduce energy use and produce better playing conditions. This article summarizes some of the key points from the irrigation system maintenance chapter in the USGA Water Conservation Playbook.

"All irrigation systems – even the best – require constant maintenance and will become more prone to problems with age."

Benefits of Irrigation System Maintenance

Water Conservation

It is difficult to estimate the amount of water savings that comes from regular irrigation system maintenance, but there is no question that leaks, breaks, or applying water where it is not needed translates into waste. Staying on top of routine irrigation system maintenance reduces these issues. Replacing worn-out nozzles, repairing broken sprinkler heads, adjusting sprinkler arcs to ensure they are only watering intended areas, leveling heads, and removing obstructions that interfere with sprinkler throw can all lead to significant water savings.

Improved Playing Conditions

Wet and dry areas around a golf course are frequently caused by a lack of irrigation system maintenance and they can lead to poor conditions and unhappy golfers. Making minor adjustments like checking sprinkler arcs can make the difference between good and great conditions. It can also help provide more-uniform water distribution that leads to better overall playing conditions.

Maintenance Efficiency

Irrigation system maintenance improves the efficiency and quality of the entire maintenance operation. For example, if sprinklers are not functioning properly, dry areas may require time-consuming hand watering. Wet spots may limit mowing with larger equipment. If dry and wet areas lead to turf decline, valuable staff time may be spent on regrassing projects that could have been avoided. Sprinklers that are out of adjustment can throw water into naturalized areas, causing excessive growth that must then be managed. A well-maintained irrigation system minimizes these and other similar issues – allowing the staff to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Challenges

Sometimes the simplicity of regular irrigation system maintenance can lead to a perceived lack of importance, which makes it easy to put aside minor repairs and adjustments. Often the mindset is: “If it is not broken, don’t fix it.” This is especially true when courses are short-staffed and there are many other pressing matters that need attention. It can also be difficult to identify signs of an irrigation problem until a major failure occurs, and each system has its own nuances that take time to learn. Additionally, hiring and retaining staff that are skilled in irrigation system maintenance and repair is increasingly difficult.

It is also important to consider the variety of technical unknowns associated with irrigation systems. The useful life of individual irrigation system components is highly variable depending on environmental conditions, amount of use, water quality, level of preventative maintenance, and quality of original construction and materials. With so many variables, it can be hard to know exactly when something needs routine maintenance until obvious failures begin to occur – which is past the point of prevention.

Implementation

Effective irrigation system maintenance has time requirements that can range from quick sprinkler head adjustments to days spent repairing a mainline. Costs are also variable depending on the parts required and the severity of the damage. Irrigation system maintenance begins by assessing playing surface quality and current system performance to create a list of maintenance items that can be prioritized based on complexity, cost and potential benefit from repair. A comprehensive irrigation assessment should be completed annually. The following are some basic maintenance considerations for key system components:

Sprinklers are the end point of the irrigation system and are ultimately responsible for delivering water to turfgrass. Regular inspections ensure they are level, rotating properly, throwing water at the correct angle, and that they are not leaking. When replacing sprinkler heads, make sure the new head fits the needs of the location.

Nozzles are subject to wear from friction caused by high operating pressure and particulates in the irrigation water. The recommended replacement schedule for sprinkler nozzles is every five to eight years and new nozzles can lead to improved performance and water savings.

Sprinkler valves activate sprinklers. Like all other parts of an irrigation system, they need to be monitored. Common signs of a valve issue are seeping heads, a head stuck on, or a head that won’t activate electronically.

Mainlines and lateral lines transport water from pumps to sprinklers and are almost always underground, so they are more challenging to maintain. Leaks can be identified by pressure loss or unusually wet areas.

Pumps provide the pressure and flow to distribute water through the irrigation system. Pump maintenance will often require a professional contractor, but superintendents can check for any abnormal noises, leaks or overheating that indicate a problem is on the horizon.

Central control systems and satellites control each sprinkler valve and set the runtime and schedule for golf course irrigation. These components are less subject to wear and tear but can be vulnerable to power surges, corrosion and other issues. Keeping up with software updates and monitoring satellite stations will help keep these parts working their best.

Wiring connects the central control system and satellites to the sprinkler valves. When repairs and replacements occur, make sure to note additions or wire rerouting to simplify future work, and use appropriately colored wire to avoid confusion.

Isolation and drainage valves should be opened and closed yearly to ensure functionality, clear the threads of any minor corrosion, and to identify any problems before a crisis arises.

Filters at pump intakes and in sprinkler bodies should be inspected and cleaned periodically to remove debris that can decrease operating pressure and system functionality.

Irrigation Audits

Irrigation audits are used to gather information about the water distribution uniformity, rate of precipitation, and overall functionality of an irrigation system. They should be performed at least every five years and include the following key elements: visual inspection, uniformity evaluation, precipitation rate determination, turfgrass water needs assessment, and irrigation scheduling and methodology review. An irrigation audit can be a daunting task, so it may be worth contracting a professional service.

Tips for Success

Keep up with repairs, don’t let the list grow.

There is a lot that goes into golf course maintenance, and it can be easy to put off a small irrigation repair or adjustment in favor of completing another task that seems more important. Unfortunately, irrigation issues will just keep coming and the punch list can grow quickly. While you’re waiting for a good time to make repairs and adjustments, irrigation issues are having a negative impact on course conditions and likely wasting water. Train staff to perform routine maintenance, assign responsibilities, and budget time for staff to perform maintenance tasks on a consistent basis.

Watch the system run and listen to the pumps.

Watching sprinklers run is one of the best ways to discover issues with the irrigation system. All staff should be trained to identify malfunctioning sprinklers and report them for repair. Listening to your pump station operating is another good way to catch problems before a decline in performance or total failure occurs. Hearing an unusual sound emanating from the pump station, or hearing it cycle on and off when you are not irrigating, is almost always indicative of a problem.

An irrigation audit is only worthwhile if action follows.

An irrigation audit is a valuable tool that is often cited as a way for golf courses to conserve water. However, it is only information. It is ultimately up to the golf course maintenance staff to ensure that recommendations from an audit are put into practice for water conservation and improved playing conditions to be realized.

Keep supplies for routine maintenance and major repairs on hand.

It’s hard for golf courses to keep up with routine irrigation maintenance, so you want to make it as convenient and efficient as possible. A key element of that is keeping the supplies and parts necessary on hand and organized for quick access. Every hour can count when it comes to making repairs that shut down large sections of the irrigation system. Larger repair couplers and other parts can also be difficult to find on short notice, particularly on weekends or holidays, so it is important to keep an up-to-date inventory of all irrigation parts. Certain parts that require routine replacement like solenoids and nozzles should be kept in abundance.