Some Very Useful Links, and a Question for the GCA Professionals

[Neil Regan]

Here are lists from a couple of search engines for Golf Course Architecture sites. Endless hours of GCA browsing can begin with these lists.

GolfClubAtlas is at the top of one of the lists.
The sites of many GCA contributors and subjects of discussions are here.

Open Directory Project Search Results

Yahoo Directory

While surfing these sites, I came across this picture from a Carolina construction company called
Course Doctors

Can some of the professionals here describe for the rest of us what is going on in this picture, please ?

[Joe Hancock]

Neil,

The picture shows a green site that is ready to receive the sand/soil mix. What you see is a barrier to keep top mix and outter soils seperated, an anti-contaminant if you will. The stakes around the perimeter serve two purposes: It keeps the barrier erect, and also defines the edge of the green surface for the dozer operator who spreads the mix. The stakes scattered around the rest of the area are grade stakes, to help the dozer operator to keep the design of the subgrade intact after spreading topmix, and to keep the soils working properly via a consistent depth thruoghout the entire green. There are probably some marks from 12-14 inches or so up from the subgrade. The white pipe showing on the front is connected to the subsurface drainage, and is commonly called a "clean-out". It will be cut to grade and capped once the finish grade is achieved.

Thanks for the links,

Joe

[Marc Haring]

Hey Neil. Thanks for the links.

Would you believe it. Had my answer all typed up and ready and then Joe gets in 5 seconds before me. You've got to be quick on GCA. Here it is anyway.

The picture shows a green mid way through a USGA type construction. Looks like the first layer of stone is going down, the further layers being a gravel blinding/choker layer followed by 12 inches of rootzone (sand and some organic source, mix).

The stakes in the ground will have lines on them to mark out the end level of the various layers. This helps as a good guide for the contractors who will then remove them before seeding.

The edge of the green has got a vertical liner in it. This will help stop lateral movement of water from the edges of the green. If this isn’t done, you’ll get dry areas around the edges.  
 

[Brian_Gracely]

My home course, Raleigh CC, is in the process of rebuilding the practice facilities.  We have a number of greens that look like this and are in various stages of being filled or shaped.  If there is anyone in the Raleigh/Durham area that would like to see greens (or a practice range) being built, let me know and we can make a visit and talk with the building crew or the course superintentant.

[John_Cullum]

How does the clean out thing work?

[Mike Nuzzo]

How does the clean out thing work?

The drainage network is already installed just below the surface of the gravel layer.  The "clean out" is at the highest point or where the network begins, the outfall of the pipe network, is usally at the lowest point.  If the network clogs up, you can insert a hose and clean out the pipes.  Flushing the system to remove any debris.  Same with the bunkers, or where ever you install a sub network of pipes.  The pipes run into the larger drainage network.  This is all unless you build a course in the Sand Belt or in St. Andrews in the 1500's.
Cheers

P.S.  The grade stakes as spaced to allow for equipment operators to drive through them while shaping the green.  So imagine shaping a green, and weaving in and out of all those stakes.  And getting everything within the USGA's newly loosened tolerance of +/- 1".

P.P.S Now image if you are working in a sandy loam, no stakes, no drainage pipes to get in the way of good talent.  I assume you don't need any stakes or pipes, you'd have to ask someone else.....

[Neil Regan]

Thanks for the explanations.

Years ago, greens surely weren't built like this. Are any greens still being built like they were built in 1925 ?

[Marc Haring]

Sure Neil. But only at the low budget operations. Personally I believe the USGA or Californian method is thought of as being a litle too essential and as a result can stop alot of new developments going ahead. It is possible to get great "push up" greens, just look at Oaklands Hills.