Rain events can be frustrating because they limit the maintenance team’s ability to complete certain practices and wet conditions often lead to cart restrictions. A silver lining, however, is that rain creates an opportunity to assess how drainage is functioning throughout the course and identify where drainage needs to be improved or added.
A common drainage issue on putting greens is the formation of collar dams, which are typically indicated by standing water near the edges. If left unaddressed, wet conditions will persist and create an increased risk of scalping and general turf decline in these areas. The Green Section Record article “Level Collars Improve Turf Health and Playability” details how to correct collar dams.
Watching how water flows and where it collects are good ways to see where drainage needs to be added in the fairways and rough. You might get a little wet, but taking a tour of the course while it is raining and water is moving is the ideal time to document drainage issues and identify areas for improvement. Be sure to snap some pictures so drainage infrastructure can be installed in the proper locations.
When rain is heavy enough to saturate the ground, it is possible to evaluate the outfalls of the existing drainage system. Be sure to check all the catch basins to see if water is flowing. If it is not, document where issues have developed. Also, take note whether all the catch basins have been properly trimmed around, are clear of debris, and are set low enough for water to enter the pipe.
While there is not much curb appeal when it comes to improving drainage, the benefits cannot be overstated. Turf health, playability and golfer satisfaction are all positively impacted when facilities invest in drainage. The Green Section Record article “Digging Into the Details of a Successful Fairway Drainage Project” is a useful resource when looking to improve drainage. Reach out to your regional USGA agronomist for more information on developing a drainage plan.
Central Region Agronomists:
Zach Nicoludis, regional director, Central Region – znicoludis@usga.org
Tom Gould, agronomist – tgould@usga.org
Steve Wilson, agronomist - swilson@usga.org