Technical
Choosing the right sand can be a huge decision. Graeme King, Managing Director of leading sports sands supplier Hugh King & Co, reveals some of the key factors to consider.
Sand can play a defining role in the creation of high performance sports turf. It can encourage fine grasses, which are generally more desirable. It can improve
shoot density, which enhances the quality of the sward, and it can dilute organic content in the surface layer, helping to firm up the green.
A
pplying the right sand can mean the difference between building up a surface resembling a patchwork of colours and textures, and one that is
consistently firm and smooth. It can mean pitches, greens and bunkers drain in wet weather rather than becoming clogged and choked. Choosing the right sand can be one of the most important decisions you make.
The first step to choosing the right sand is to identify the composition of the existing, indigenous sand. This will provide the basis on which your sand selection will be made. To properly identify the characteristics of this sand, a sample needs to be analysed and the different particle sizes contained within the sample categorised. This is achieved by passing the sand through a series of sieves.
Quality suppliers will have their own laboratory facilitie. This resource means
they can test their products for consistency and composition, and help clients to identify the features of their own sand.
Understandably, very few sporting venues have their own on-site laboratories and many will call on the services of a reputable soil testing establishment for quality and performance testing. The in-depth data and analysis that is provided confirms different performance characteristics and can underpin ongoing and future maintenance programmes. For sand, this information manifests itself in three forms, with the most important being particle size distribution. This essentially shows the range of particle sizes (in percentages) found within a given sample and, therefore, determines the sand’s classification - coarse, medium or fine. This data is key, because the amount of particles in relation to the size of the
SAND - making the right DECISION
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