What do you do if your golf course has a high water table?

2 Improve drainage

One of the most important steps to cope with a high water table is to improve the drainage of your golf course. This can be done by installing or upgrading subsurface drainage systems, such as perforated pipes, gravel trenches, or drainage tiles. These systems can help lower the water table and remove excess water from the soil. You should also consider surface drainage options, such as swales, ditches, or catch basins, to divert runoff water away from the golf course. Drainage systems should be designed and installed according to the site conditions and the regulatory requirements.

3 Modify turf management

Another step to cope with a high water table is to modify your turf management practices to reduce stress and improve turf quality. You should adjust your irrigation schedule and frequency to avoid overwatering and leaching of nutrients. You should also use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and carefully, as they can contaminate groundwater or cause turf diseases. You should also aerate and dethatch your turf regularly to improve soil aeration and water infiltration. Additionally, you should mow your turf at a higher height to enhance root growth and drought tolerance.

4 Choose suitable turfgrass

A high water table can also affect the choice of turfgrass for your golf course. You should select turfgrass varieties that are tolerant to waterlogging, salinity, and diseases. Some of the most suitable turfgrass species for high water table conditions are bermudagrass, seashore paspalum, zoysiagrass, and tall fescue. You should also consider using native or adapted plants that can thrive in wet environments, such as sedges, rushes, or wetland flowers. These plants can add diversity and beauty to your golf course, as well as provide habitat for wildlife.

5 Educate golfers

The final step to cope with a high water table is to educate your golfers about the situation and the measures that you are taking to deal with it. You should communicate with your golfers regularly and explain the challenges and benefits of having a high water table. You should also inform them about the drainage systems and the turf management practices that you are implementing to improve the golf course conditions. You should also encourage them to follow the golf course rules and etiquette, such as repairing ball marks, replacing divots, and avoiding cart damage.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?