Our Golf Green Slit Drainage System

Q: What are the most common drainage problems on golf courses?

Chronic wet spots on fairways, greens that stay soft, and bunkers that hold water are the most frequent issues. These usually come from poor soil structure, outdated drainage lines, or surface grades that no longer move water the right way.

Q: How do I know if my greens need new drainage?

Greens that stay damp long after the rest of the course has dried, struggle to firm up, or develop recurring turf decline often need updated drainage. Moisture trapped in the rootzone is a reliable sign the existing system is not keeping up.

Q: Can fairway drainage be added without a major renovation?

Yes. Many fairways can be improved by installing lateral lines or spot drainage in problem areas. A full renovation is typically only needed when the entire fairway has grade issues or severely compacted soils.

Q: What causes bunkers to hold water or wash out so often?

Poor drainage at the base of the bunker is the usual culprit. If the subgrade traps water or the drains are clogged, moisture stays in the sand and leads to washouts, contamination, and uneven surfaces after storms.

Q: How long does a golf course drainage project take?

Timing depends on the size of the area being improved and the type of system being installed. Greens and small low spots can be completed quickly, while full fairway drainage takes longer. Weather also influences the schedule.

Q: Will drainage work disrupt play on the course?

There will be temporary disruption, but we work to limit the impact by coordinating with your superintendent and planning around busy periods. Once the turf has recovered, those areas usually play smoother and drain faster than before.

Q: Do you provide drainage solutions for tees as well?

Yes. Tee decks often develop soft spots or uneven surfaces when drainage is poor. We address this through grading adjustments, fresh rootzone mixes, and new drainage lines where needed.

Q: How long do golf course drainage systems last?

A properly installed system can last many years. Longevity depends on soil movement, maintenance practices, and how much traffic the area sees. Regular aeration and surface management help extend performance.

Slit drainage from Turf Rehab uses a 2 inch microslit pipe system to pull water out of the profile quickly, so puddles disappear fast and the surface firms up sooner after rain. By resetting the temporary water table and opening pore space, your turf roots grow deeper and hold stronger. The result is drier, safer, more playable conditions for golf courses, athletic fields, and horse or polo surfaces.

View All Services

Why Your Course
Needs Better Drainage

Every sports surface has the same headache: too much water sitting where it shouldn’t. Golf greens stay soft, fairways rut and track, fields turn muddy, and arenas get slick and sloppy. Once the soil profile is saturated, water has nowhere to go, so it hangs around on the surface and in the top few inches of the rootzone.

Better drainage changes that story. By moving water out of the profile faster, you create pore space for air and fresh water to cycle through. Roots chase that moisture deeper, turf stands thicken, and the surface firms up without turning rock hard.

For golf courses, that means more consistent green speeds, firmer fairways, and fewer days with carts locked to the paths. For athletic fields and horse or polo facilities, it means safer footing, fewer cancellations, and a surface that bounces back quickly after heavy use or heavy rain.

How Our Slit Drainage System Works

Our system starts with a 2 inch microslit pipe set in a narrow trench below the surface. That trench is backfilled with a suitable gravel or sand so water can move freely down into the cavity around the pipe.

When that cavity reaches saturation, the microslits activate and start pulling water into the line. As the pipe moves water away, it frees up pore space in the soil profile. Surface water can then move down into that open space instead of sitting on top as puddles.

This cycle temporarily lowers the water table near the surface and then lets it rebuild at a healthier depth once the storm has passed. Roots respond by chasing moisture deeper, which anchors the turf and keeps the top few inches firmer and more stable.

On top of the 2 inch microslit lines, we also spec additional pipe sizes and layouts when they make sense for the site. That might mean larger collectors, ties into existing drainage, or different spacings based on soil, slope, and how the area is used. The goal is always the same: get water out of the profile quickly so your turf can recover faster and play better.

Turf Health And
Playability Benefits

Slit drainage changes how water sits in the profile, which changes how the plant behaves. With water moving off the top and into a controlled cavity, roots chase moisture deeper instead of hanging out in the top inch. Deeper roots mean thicker turf, better color, and less turf loss after heavy rain.

As the temporary water table resets at a lower, healthier depth, the surface firms up without turning rock hard. You see fewer soft spots, fewer ruts, and far less shearing when players cut or carts turn. Puddles clear quickly, so surfaces return to “ready to use” much sooner after storms.

The payoff shows up everywhere: golf greens and fairways can be dialed in for firmer, faster conditions, athletic fields hold together under play instead of turning to mud, and horse or polo surfaces stay more consistent across the whole footprint instead of bouncing between sloppy and packed. Over time, that consistency builds a healthier stand of turf and a more reliable surface for the people using it.

Our Golf Course Drainage Process

Site Visit & Assessment

Soil Profile Review

Drainage Layout & System Design

Installation

Final inspection

Past Project Locations

BRYN MAWR CC, IL
HINSDALE GC, IL
WAKONDA CLUB, IA
BEAR HILL CC, MA
HYANNISPORT CC, MA
LONG MEADOW CC, MA
WAMPATUCK CC, MA
WELLESLEY CC, MA
WESTON CC, MA
PORTLAND CC, ME
YORK CC, ME
EDINA CC, MN
OLYMPIC HILLS CC, MN
SPRING HILL CC, MN
SPRING HILL GC, MN
TOWN & COUNTRY CLUB, MN
WAYZATA CC, MN
WOODHILL CC, MN
BILTMORE FOREST GC, NC
COCHECHO CC, NH
EASTMAN CC, NH
ESSEX FELLS CC, NJ
FAIRMOUNT CC, NJ
MOUNTAIN RIDGE CC, NJ
BLIND BROOK CC, NY
CC OF ROCHESTER, NY
SAGAMORE GC, NY
SKANEATELES CC, NY
SPY RING GC, NY
THE APAWAMIS CLUB, NY
BOB O'LINK GC, OH
MANUFACTURERS CC, PA
OAKMONT CC, PA
THE TREE FARM, SC
BLUE MOUND G&CC, WI
NORTH SHORE CC, WI

Get a Quote For Your Project!

If your course or field has drainage issues that keep slowing down play, share a few details and our team will take a look. You can include photos of wet areas, soil conditions, or trouble spots that never seem to dry out. Once we review the information, we’ll follow up with options that fit your site and timeline.

Address

11 Ave A, Cambridge, NY 12816, US

Telephone

(518) 321-0630

Email

mmturfrehab@gmail.com

google map embed html

FAQs About Golf Course Drainage

What are the most common drainage problems on golf courses? +

How do I know if my greens need new drainage? +

Can fairway drainage be added without a major renovation? +

What causes bunkers to hold water or wash out so often? +

How long does a golf course drainage project take? +

Will drainage work disrupt play on the course? +

Do you provide drainage solutions for tees as well? +

How long do golf course drainage systems last? +