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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Why the Difference in Our White and Red Greens

All greens are not constructed alike. Therefore they do not perform exactly the same. During wet and rainy periods, the white greens will be softer. The reason is simple. The rootzone is constructed of native black soil and there is no drainage in the greens. Black soil holds water. Sand based greens allow water to drain through.
The photo above is the sand based material that our red and blue greens are made of. The courser sand particles allow surface water to infiltrate the rootzone and then flow into the drainage system of the green. This material allows for a firmer & drier putting surface.
The photo above is a model of the rootzone of a sand based USGA constructed green. Notice that there is drainage pipe surrounded by a gravel layer that allows water to flow downward from the sand based rootzone mix into the gravel and into the pipe and out of the green. This is why USGA greens are firmer and drier.
The photo above is of the rootzone of the white greens (except #4 and #5.) The white greens were built 90 years ago out of soil (black dirt.) There is no drainage under the greens. There is nowhere for water to go when it rains. The green stays wet and soft for a week or more.

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