Fairway topdressing continues to gain popularity across the country as a way to improve playability and alleviate soft, wet fairways. It makes sense that golfers are enjoying the results of these programs. After all, what golfer wouldn’t want a few extra yards of roll at the end of their tee shot or the ability to drive their golf cart off the path shortly after a rain? But before you start asking the superintendent to throw more sand at your course, there are several important questions you need to answer:
What type of soil do we have? It would be a mistake and a waste of funds to start fairway topdressing if your golf course already has quality soils that drain well. Soft playing conditions could be the result of other factors besides the underlying soil. If that’s the case, fairway topdressing might only mask the issue or potentially create an even worse problem.
If we have persistent wet spots, are they restricted to low-lying areas or do they exist throughout the fairways? It is important to realize that a fairway topdressing program is not going to necessarily firm up low spots where a large amount of water gathers. Well-positioned catch basins and drainage pipes are going to provide a greater benefit for these areas. Fairway topdressing will not replace the need for adequate subsurface drainage. In fact, it works best in conjunction with a network of subsurface drainage.
Do our fairways have excessive thatch? If thatch is causing spongy, wet conditions at the surface, only dumping sand on top of the fairways is probably not the best course of action. A combination of more core aeration and verticutting is probably going to yield better results than a fairway topdressing program for courses with thatch issues.
If you still feel like your course is a good candidate for fairway topdressing, there are some additional pitfalls to be aware of. Here are the three most common mistakes I see with fairways topdressing programs:
- It is initiated with the goal of correcting a particular issue that could be better addressed with a different and often less expensive solution. For example, implementing an aggressive verticutting program could probably improve soft, puffy fairways and create a firmer playing surface faster and definitely for less cost.
- Long gaps between heavy sand applications on fairways will create distinct soil layers that can impede turf root development and cause more problems with water movement. Light and frequent applications of sand spread out every four to five weeks during the growing season is a better approach. If your course doesn’t have the capability to topdress fairways regularly, it might not be worthwhile.
- Many courses prematurely stop their fairway topdressing program and end up missing out on the full benefits. Courses should commit to fairway topdressing for a minimum of seven to 10 years to build a deep enough layer of sand to deliver optimal results. A meager 1-inch sandy layer above a tightly packed soil is not going to provide much benefit and could make the turf surface feel lose underfoot.
Before your course decides to embark on a fairway topdressing program, it’s important for decision-makers to do their homework and ensure that it is sensible for your specific situation. Your regional USGA agronomist can help determine whether or not fairway topdressing would be a good practice for your golf course, assist with interpretation of soil test data to ensure an appropriate sand is selected, and provide tailored recommendations for a successful program.
