Maintaining consistent turf quality across a golf course is challenging, especially because some areas inevitably dry out faster than others. Bunker faces, newly sodded sections, and isolated hot spots require supplemental irrigation outside the normal nightly run cycles, but getting these areas the water they need during the day without overwatering adjacent turf or disrupting play is not easy.
I witnessed an effective approach to targeted irrigation firsthand at Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. The maintenance team on the Outlaw Course uses portable micro sprinklers to provide precise irrigation to dry areas. Although similar in concept to a portable impact sprinkler on a roller, these lightweight systems apply water more slowly to a smaller zone. This precision was critical going into advance week of the championship to provide ideal conditions for players, especially with dry air and temperatures over 100 degrees.
One of the most valuable applications for portable micro sprinklers is bunker slopes. Many golf courses have bunkers with steep faces that dry out quickly, leading to thin turf and increased maintenance demands. Trying to water bunker faces with traditional irrigation heads leads to overspray in the sand and on the turf surrounding the bunker. Hand watering bunker faces is more effective, but it’s time consuming and it can be hard to water bunker faces slowly enough to minimize runoff. For courses that do not have pop-up zones around bunkers, portable micro sprinklers allow you to deliver targeted, low-volume water directly where it is needed most.
New sod installations also benefit from supplemental irrigation. Sod establishment requires frequent, uniform moisture during the rooting period, but traditional sprinkler coverage does not always align perfectly with where the new sod is located. Portable micro sprinklers are a temporary solution that can be adjusted as the moisture demands for the new sod change.
In addition to bunker slopes and sod projects, superintendents can use portable micro sprinklers to address recurring hot spots caused by poor irrigation coverage, changing weather conditions or unique site characteristics. The portability allows staff to respond quickly to developing turf stress, and being able to slowly soak these areas has lasting benefits.
Every course has its frustrating recurring dry spots. Portable micro sprinklers are a great tool in the box to help superintendents deliver precise irrigation where it is needed most while avoiding unnecessary water use and disruption to play.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, senior agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org
Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service
Contact the Green Section Staff