ABSTRACT
Two types of construction are generally used, the traditional and the sand based. The traditional profile, which accounts for the majority of projects, involves 100 to 300 millimetres of a uniform loam soil overlaying a slow draining base. In sand-based construction, high draining, uniform, low-compacting sands are laid down over a gravel drainage layer. This method relies on almost all of the water that reaches the surface travelling down through the profile and being removed through a sub-soil drainage system. In this method a perched water table is created, which allows grass to survive and grow in otherwise very droughty sands. The principles of sand-based construction have been highly developed by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in their USGA specification profile. The history of green and sports turf modification has been documented by Ferguson and Beard and Sifers among others. Surface drainage is extremely important in the design, construction and maintenance of the sporting surface.
