Key Takeaways

• The material chosen for cart paths has a significant impact on performance, appearance and how golfers feel about them.
  
  
• Some materials cost less to buy and install, but require more maintenance and have performance issues that may not be worth the initial savings.
  
  
• Sections of path that experience lots of traffic, traffic from heavy equipment, or receive large amounts of runoff should be built from stronger materials.
  
  
• Cart paths at a course don’t all have to be made from the same material. Choices can be tailored to the location and type of traffic.
   

Asphalt is a popular cart path material for several reasons. The initial expense is generally less than concrete. Asphalt can typically be prepped, laid, cured and available for use in 24-48 hours depending on the size of the area, though there is some variation in this timing depending on the exact material and installation method used. There is also flexibility in construction methods and materials that can be used to optimize the cost and performance of asphalt paths. For example, a different asphalt product and installation approach can be used when constructing paths to support large or heavy equipment compared to paths where only golf carts and light maintenance vehicles will travel. Asphalt does not come with control or expansion joints like concrete, making for an overall smoother ride. Asphalt can also flex more than concrete with temperature fluctuations or soil settling, which reduces the risk of cracking. When it comes to repairs, cold patching asphalt is more efficient than mixing and finishing concrete. For a sturdier renovation of asphalt paths, an overlay can be applied in certain scenarios without complete demolition, just make sure the rise in elevation does not interfere with water movement or create new problems.

Concrete paths have many advantages and serve many golf courses well. Aesthetically, concrete has many options for coloring and textures. A notable consideration is the reflectivity of concrete compared to black asphalt that will hold much more heat. Extra heat retention can influence turf health adjacent to the paths and golfer comfort during the summer. Concrete paths can last much longer than asphalt – sometimes twice as long or more – and they typically require less maintenance. While concrete costs more, it might be worth the investment for a longer-lasting asset. Concrete holds together rigidly rather than flexing like asphalt, and gives more stability and durability if heavier vehicles are using the paths. Interestingly, when mixing concrete, there are more instances where specifications allow for recycled materials to be included and petroleum-based sealcoating products are unnecessary for concrete installation or maintenance.

Loose Aggregates

Various gravels, decomposed granites or native sands have their place as cart path materials under the right conditions and expectations. These materials are less expensive than asphalt or concrete and are easier to install. They also have a more natural look and blend into the landscape more easily than impervious materials. These materials can form a firm surface, but they are inherently less stable than asphalt or concrete, which means they are more vulnerable to erosion and damage from traffic. They can also be dusty during dry conditions. As with any path material, the desirability of these options depends on the situation and the budget. The following are some key considerations with this class of materials:

• Just like selecting a bunker sand, particle shape and gradation of sizes will determine how well the aggregate stays in place. A uniform-sized, rounded pea gravel may work in drainage trenches but will not create the firm surface needed for a functional cart path.
  
  
• Permeability can be an advantage and a weakness of these materials. Permeability reduces runoff from storms, and in some instances water that flows laterally can move through these materials to lessen water dams as well. However, permeability also means that these materials can become saturated and a path may lose its integrity during wet conditions. This can lead to rutting and erosion of the path.
  
  
• Since these materials are easily manipulated, routing paths made from loose aggregates around golf course features is easily done. Varying the width or expanding paths to address changing needs is much easier and less expensive to accomplish with loose aggregates versus an impervious material.
  
  
• Loose aggregates endure freeze-and-thaw cycles well and they do not heat up like dark-colored asphalt during summer. The particles will shift around growing tree roots and under certain specifications loose aggregates can hold up to heavy equipment.
  
  
• Regular maintenance is a concern as these materials will move and migrate on slopes and they are vulnerable to erosion by surface water flow. Migration into turf can deteriorate playability and damage mowing equipment. Erosion can make the paths bumpy for golf carts and golf course maintenance equipment, which can lead to unhappy golfers and damaged machinery. Regrading and adding material will be part of routine maintenance for most loose aggregate paths. Sometimes an edging or curbing material is installed to contain the aggregate, but the edging or curbing often adds to ongoing maintenance as it is vulnerable to shifting.
  
  
• Controlling weeds may be an ongoing task on loose aggregate paths depending on the environment and expectations for how the paths are presented.
  
  
• Loose aggregates may be compact enough for walking, but driving on them is generally bumpy and can be noisy.
  
  
• When installing any cart path, proximity to play is a factor. Golf balls do not bounce as much off loose aggregates as they do when striking an impervious surface. Less bounce may be beneficial when a path needs to be installed close to a fairway or putting green, or in a location where a ball can easily bounce out of bounds or into a penalty area.

Aggregate With Binder

Another option gaining popularity is using a loose aggregate with a polymer binder. This type of path offers the previously mentioned benefits of loose aggregates, but with significantly reduced particle migration, erosion and weed pressure. However, this type of path will cost more than loose aggregate alone, and can cost as much as some impervious surfaces. There are a number of products in this class that can be applied through various methods. Different polymer binders have unique application recommendations and most have a life of a few years before maintenance might be necessary. Several products are too new to fully evaluate but appear highly promising.

Aggregate-with-binder products require more research because each has specific material requirements and installation methods, and some meet certain needs better than others. Most of these products require installing a base similar to asphalt or concrete, which is an additional cost when compared to loose aggregates. Atop the base, the aggregate materials and specifications vary but it is generally a mixture of widely graded, angular particles that physically bind together with a homogenously mixed binder, which makes these products more robust than loose aggregate paths. Many manufacturers have recommended repair methods, and the product storage requirements vary. These products work well on gentler slopes and some have been specifically designed for steeper slopes.

Other Path Materials

Synthetic turf is more commonly installed for walking traction on bridges, but there are options available for cart paths. Much like driving range mats, when installed over a base material these products absorb impact and can blend into the existing turf surrounds. When properly tacked down, moderate slopes can be covered, and edges can be kept crisp. As we know from sports fields, synthetic turf will get very hot in summer, but endures sunlight exposure and cold temperatures well. Life expectancy will vary from one manufacturer to another but is directly influenced by intensity of use. There is regular maintenance to keep surfaces clean as well.

Crumb rubber with a polymer binder is another less-used path product. These materials are commonly seen on running tracks because they provide a firm, permeable surface that still offers some give. Many colors are available, and installation methods are similar to aggregates with polymer binders. The benefits of these products are similar to loose aggregate paths and they can be easily routed around golf course features.

Wood chips or mulch can also be used for cart paths. These materials have the same issues as loose aggregates as they can migrate and allow weeds to grow, but they are easily installed and inexpensive. These natural materials work well in temporary instances to help traffic navigate a wet area or to evaluate path extensions or expansions prior to installing a more-permanent material. Wood materials will break down over time and the lifespan of these paths is shortened by heavy traffic. The stability is acceptable for foot traffic and golf carts; however, these materials will not support heavier equipment without path smoothness being compromised. Lots of traffic, heavy equipment and traffic during wet conditions can all cause these materials to migrate or the paths to become increasingly bumpy. The slope of paths made from these materials must be negligible to minimize migration, although when wood materials do move into turf areas it is less problematic than aggregate.

Factors Driving Decisions

Some amount of cart path is necessary at nearly all golf courses. Even if the majority of rounds played are walking, there is still the need to get maintenance equipment around the course efficiently and during poor weather. Most golf courses also have plenty of rounds played using carts and will need cart paths to manage concentrated traffic and facilitate cart use during wet weather or when turf is not growing well – e.g., during cold weather or a drought. When it comes to making choices about path materials, the following are the key considerations.

Cost is where the conversation about choosing materials for paths usually starts. There are installation costs, maintenance considerations and product life cycles to consider. Ease of maintenance needs to be considered as frequency of repair, edging or cleaning might be a concern if staff time is limited. A less-expensive material to purchase and install will likely require more maintenance, which comes with cost in time and materials over the long run.

Performance is another consideration as some materials offer heavy duty stability whereas others may be more appropriate in environmentally sensitive areas or where foot and/or golf cart traffic are the main use. Paths that are being used to capture and redirect surface water should be built from stronger material that is not vulnerable to erosion. You will also want to install drains on paths that serve this purpose to avoid excessive runoff onto the turf at the end of the path.

Golfer expectations are also, in a way, part of the performance calculation. If golfers expect a smooth ride and a uniform and tidy path, more-durable (and expensive) materials are likely to be preferred. If cost savings and/or a more-natural appearance are worth a few bumps in the road to the golfers at your course, a wider range of options is available.

Aesthetics are also an important factor in material selection, although I would argue that performance should take priority. Some golfers prefer loose aggregate and aggregate-with-binder paths because they blend into the landscape more naturally than asphalt or concrete. However, it is possible to purchase different colors of concrete (at an additional cost) and there are ways to minimize the visual impact of paths by tilting them away from view, shaping the nearby terrain to hide them, or by running paths through naturalized or wooded areas where they are hidden.

Noise from tires may be a concern if your course is located in a housing community, although this issue will depend a lot on the cart path material. Not all materials are readily available, so sourcing and contractor availability are additional factors in the decision.

Once you have thought through the various considerations above, review the material options available and begin to make choices. There may not be a one-size-fits-all material for your course. You may want a stronger and more-expensive material for paths that the maintenance staff uses often, paths that are located on steep slopes, or paths designed to capture heavy amounts of stormwater. A less-expensive and more-natural material could work well in high-visibility areas, or where balls bouncing out of play are a greater concern. Don’t be afraid to use different materials to match various needs throughout your course, and make sure to set expectations that a less-expensive material often comes with additional maintenance and inconsistent performance. It’s hard to make everyone happy when it comes to choosing cart path materials, but if you think through the considerations outlined in this article you can make the best possible choices for your site and budget.