Golf Course Architects Are Recommending Turfgrass Sod for All Areas
article produced by TPI Turf News

There are three basic ways to establish grass on a new golf course: seeding, hydro-sprigging, and turf sodding. More and more, course architects are recommending turf sod for all areas -- fairways, greens, roughs, tee boxes, and the difficult slopes around bunkers.

This was the decision of architect Jerry Pate and five investors who developed a golf course at Shiloh Falls, TN. The course, which is now managed by the Marriott Corporation, is part of a planned residential community near Pickwick Dam, approximately 100 miles east of Memphis.

The architect and investors gave four reasons for sodding the course:

Sodding saved time--and time is money. With seeding or hydro-sprigging, course play is delayed, especially quality play. Golfers will not pay top dollar for a sparsely covered playing surface, and they will not accept stones and rocks near the surface that may damage their golf clubs.

With turfgrass sodding you can begin play on a fairway in a relatively short time--in some cases, four to six weeks. Compared to hydro-sprigging or seeding, this means hundreds of rounds of golf, giving owners instant cash flow.

This Shiloh Falls development is a good example of how sodding the golf course made money for the investors. During the fall of the year the front nine holes of the course were ready for the "Grass Plan" portion of construction. Initially the plan was to seed the greens and sprig the fairways and roughs. At this stage, the investors reviewed various options, including sodding most of the course. After a detailed discussion with the architect and a turfgrass producer, they decided to use turfgrass sod.

It was late in the year and sprigging the fairways would have to be done in the spring. Course play would be delayed until late that following year--or, more realistically--the spring of the next year. By sodding in December, the turfgrass was dormant during the winter and got a good establishment in the spring (when sprigging the course would have just begun). By sodding, the course was ready for play in June. The course officially opened the first of July and 328 rounds of golf were played the opening weekend. Members and guests played the front nine twice for their complete round. By the end of the year, over 7000 rounds of golf were played. Sprigging the course would have meant loss of revenues and--what was more important to the investors--the lost opportunities to entertain many potential lot buyers.

Sodding created an important image for investors. The beautiful, ready-to-use facility let potential property buyers--who were invited to visit, play golf, and consider lot options--know that the investors had made a full commitment to the entire community project.

Sodding solved the erosion problems. Erosion is the number one enemy of many golf course architects. The beautiful, hilly terrain is what helps to make Shiloh Falls golf course outstanding and challenging, but in the initial stages of grading and turfgrass establishment, erosion can be a nightmare. Sodding stopped erosion, especially on the mounded and hilly areas, and the areas around the sand bunkers and cart paths (where the concentration of run-off rain water can cause severe problems).

Sodding created an aesthetic image consistent with the over-all ambience of the residential community. Sodding the golf course was consistent with the paved roads, street lamps, common area landscaping, wooded areas, and the architectural covenants that are meant to ensure aesthetic quality. It was decided that sodding the golf course would show potential residents a special lifestyle and community pride. Because residential lots are an integral part of the plan, sodding helped establish, ensure--and even increase--property values.