Site Prep for grass driving range Cancel The title field is required!

1. Rocky Tharp

   

   0 posts
   
   2/23/2012 9:02 AM

   One of our city courses is constructing a grass driving range and I have asked to give some comments on site preparation. The construction site is at higher elevation relative to the rest of the course and consists of fairly good draining native topsoil with established turf. Their plan is to spray the site with roundup and then thoroughly till the site to a depth of 8 inches. They will then shape, roll till firm, add surface drainage and irrigation. Next, they will plate the surface with 4 inches of sand and then seed.
   My only concern is the four inches of sand going directly on top of the tilled subgrade, possibly creating an interface layer. If it was within budget, I would think tilling in as much of the same type of sand as possible to the subgrade before plating with the same 4 inches of sand would help minimize any layering. Or perhaps just tilling in the four inches of sand into the subgrade and then planting. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
   
   Rocky Tharp
   Interbay GC
   Seattle, WA

   
   
   
   
2. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   2/23/2012 10:02 AM

   My question would be, If the soil drains well why put 4 inches of sand on top of good soil for the range surface. You would find it difficult to keep turf on the sand and this sandy surface to easily divoted off. I would want to keep a nice soil surface that drains well, then top-dress it as it needs to be reconditioned over its use. Having built many new golf courses and ranges, this would be my method if the current soil conditions are good. If the soil is poor I would consider the top coating of a good sandy top mix, but there drainage would be required to keep the range usable in wet weather conditions. Or just for good rooting and drainage. Players want to hit the ball off the surface they are going to play golf on, so if the golf course is soil that is native the range should be also. If the range is sand and you are going to play off of soil it is a poor practice and learning to play material. I have had this discussion many times with teaching Pro's and Tour Pro's who are very direct on their own opinion about what they like to practice on and it is not plastic or sand based most of the time.

   
   
   
   
3. Brett Klahr

   

   0 posts
   
   2/28/2012 10:02 PM

   One of our city courses is constructing a grass driving range and I have asked to give some comments on site preparation. The construction site is at higher elevation relative to the rest of the course and consists of fairly good draining native topsoil with established turf. Their plan is to spray the site with roundup and then thoroughly till the site to a depth of 8 inches. They will then shape, roll till firm, add surface drainage and irrigation. Next, they will plate the surface with 4 inches of sand and then seed.
   My only concern is the four inches of sand going directly on top of the tilled subgrade, possibly creating an interface layer. If it was within budget, I would think tilling in as much of the same type of sand as possible to the subgrade before plating with the same 4 inches of sand would help minimize any layering. Or perhaps just tilling in the four inches of sand into the subgrade and then planting. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
   
   Tilling the sand into the soil is a poor idea as this will lead to a non uniform soil profile, it is very difficult to achieve a homogenous mix through tilling if not impossible. Special mixers such as the one used In gravel plants would be about the only way to achieve a uniform mixture. Considering you have an entire range this probably isn't an option. Tilling the sand into the soil together would result in a profile similar to a marble cake. It will take 60 percent sand in the profile or greater to achieve any positive impact. I would suggest simply using your well drained soil only and installIng adequate drainage instead off spending money on sand.