how to create a golf course irrigation map

Steps to making your irrigation map First, locate all of the sprinkler heads on your property and mark their location on a copy of your landscaping site plan. Also mark the location of the following elements:

Full Answer

What do golf courses need from irrigation design?

Maintenance and groundskeeping are daily needs on golf courses. Design of irrigation systems must take these needs into account – allowing for easy shutoff in multiple areas, for example, to allow staff to maintain the grasses.

How do I create an irrigation map for my property?

If you plan on adding to or upgrading the system, you’ll want an irrigation map to guide construction. First, locate all of the sprinkler heads on your property and mark their location on a copy of your landscaping site plan. Also mark the location of the following elements:

Is there an irrigation f/x for golf courses?

In fact, we had golf course irrigation systems specifically in mind when engineering some of the familiar Irrigation F/X tools. Whether you design a golf course with 9 or 18 holes, you'll be working with a vast and tract of land, often with undulating terrain.

What do you need to know before installing an irrigation system?

Your system will need to maximize coverage while avoiding wasting water. Maintenance and groundskeeping are daily needs on golf courses. Design of irrigation systems must take these needs into account – allowing for easy shutoff in multiple areas, for example, to allow staff to maintain the grasses.

What irrigation methods are used in golf courses?

Golf course irrigation systems can be supplied water from many different sources, including potable, effluent, surface (ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams), and groundwater....According to GCSAA, golf course water sources break down as follows:Surface: 52%Groundwater (Wells): 46%Potable (Municipal): 14%Effluent: 12%

How many irrigation heads are on a golf course?

“Courses can have anywhere from 500 to 5,000 heads. It's just a matter of what you're trying to do.” Today's technology and equipment have facilitated better irrigation strategies. New sprinklers are much better at putting down water.

How much water does it take to irrigate a golf course?

Using water use data nationally, an 18-hole golf course uses an average of 152.5 acre-feet of water per year to irrigate 80.7 acres of turfgrass.

How long does a golf course irrigation system last?

The life expectancy of a typical irrigation system varies from 10 to 30 years, depending on the geographic location of the course and the demands on the system. Good preventive maintenance can extend a system's longevity, but sooner or later, your irrigation will need to be renovated or replaced.

How many sprinklers does the average golf course have?

Circular tees are actually quite cost-effective to irrigate; small round tees can be irrigated with 2 sprinklers, whilst larger tees will only require 3 sprinklers.

What is the sprinkler head rule in golf?

A sprinkler head is an immovable obstruction and is covered by Rule 24-2. That Rule states that you are entitled to relief for a ball that lies in or on the obstruction or when the obstruction interferes with your area of intended stance or swing.

Do golf courses use GREY water?

In fact, an increasing number of courses are using effluent water – often referred to as “gray water.” Government regulations and water availability have led to the increased use of gray water at golf facilities, says Brian Vinchesi, design engineer at Irrigation Consulting Inc., Pepperell, Mass.

How often do golf courses water the grass?

It's better to water “deeply and infrequently,” Cutler says. About a third of an inch every two to three days is a good goal.

How many gallons a day does a golf course use?

Audubon International estimates that the average American course uses 312,000 gallons per day. In a place like Palm Springs, where 57 golf courses challenge the desert, each course eats up a million gallons a day.

How long does PVC irrigation last?

10 – 30 yearsFigure 1. Expected Life Cycle of Irrigation System Components*ItemYearsIrrigation system10 – 30 yearsIrrigation control system10 – 15 yearsPVC pipe (under pressure)10 – 30 yearsPump station15 – 20 yearsMar 2, 2015

How long does plastic irrigation pipe last?

The Water Research Foundation reported that 100 years is a conservative estimate for a properly designed and installed PVC pipe.

How do you water greens on a golf course?

0:412:32Fore The Golfer: Watering For Healthy Turf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystems it can be difficult to apply water evenly to odd shaped. Areas such as greens sprinklerMoreSystems it can be difficult to apply water evenly to odd shaped. Areas such as greens sprinkler placement must be adjusted for bunkers. And mounting as well as the shape of the green. Wind.

What are the components of a golf course irrigation system?

Every course is different and will require a unique approach, but here are some of the main components seen in golf course irrigation systems. Lakes, Canals, Ponds, etc. The Pumping Station.

Why is it important to irrigate when there are no golfers on the course?

Of course, it is also optimal to irrigate when there are not golfers on the course, as most don’t ask for their game with a shower. Your irrigation schedule should be intimately informed by climate and weather.

What is a golf facility services company?

A golf facility services company can provide a free evaluation and create a plan that shows you what changes, if any, you need to make to optimize your irrigation practices. DTE Golf has golf maintenance and management professionals standing by, ready to answer your questions, meet you in person, and tour your course, all for free.

What is the most common issue a golf course faces?

Even more important is to recognize when the old irrigation system has got to go. An older or obsolete irrigation system is one of the most common issues a golf course faces, and typically, they face away from it.

Why is it important to change course maintenance?

Just because you have an irrigation schedule that works that doesn’t mean it will work every year. Even more important is to recognize when the old irrigation system has got to go.

How should irrigation schedules be informed?

Your irrigation schedule should be intimately informed by climate and weather. Depending on your climate, and the season you’re in, irrigation timing and method may have to change, possibly on a seasonal basis. Make sure your course maintenance is being changed often to account for everyday differences in circumstances.

Is less spread over less turf better for irrigation?

Less spread over less turf makes it more necessary for better heads and water pressure. Investigate your pumping station and water sources for longevity. If you already have issues with pressure and water source, you'll need to reconsider the source of your irrigation water. Look at previous repairs.

What is the maintenance of a golf course?

Maintenance and groundskeeping are daily needs on golf courses. Design of irrigation systems must take these needs into account – allowing for easy shutoff in multiple areas, for example, to allow staff to maintain the grasses.

What is a flow zone in golf?

A golf course consists of a series of logically divided areas – tees, fairways, and greens on each hole. For each of these areas, you'll be creating a Flow Zone to control and limit the flow (GPM) coming into that area. For now, you'll group your rotors in such a way that you can group them into a logical Flow Zone.

Do golf courses need water?

Golf courses are notorious guzzlers, making efficiency all the more critical. Your system will need to maximize coverage while avoiding wasting water.

Golf Irrigation Design

Golf Irrigation Consultants has worked in every facet of golf course construction, design, and maintenance. Our background and experience helps us to create quality irrigation designs that are customized to every site, and tailored to every budget.

STEP 1 - GOLF IRRIGATION DESIGN PROCESS

The Golf Irrigation Consultants team manages all aspects of the design process including: hydraulics, system requirements & limitations, wiring circuits, pump house design, and all related irrigation components. We listen to your goals and create a plan to meet your budget and save both, water and energy.

STEP 2 - BID DOCUMENTAION

Before sending the new system out for bid, the bid documents must be precise in order for contractors to properly bid on the job. Golf Course Irrigation Consultants will provide you with detailed information including irrigation maps, hydraulic layout, electrical plans and all system requirements.

STEP 3 - COST ESTIMATING

We take into account your custom system requirements and obviously, your budget. Our goal is to work with you and design a system which meets both your needs and your budget. If you are looking for a high end Cadillac, then we will design it accordingly; yet, if your budget is more geared towards the design of a Mini-Van, then that is fine also.

STEP 4 - BIDDING SERVICES

Golf Irrigation Consultants offers bidding services which will cover contractor pre-qualification, pre-bid / construction, negotiations, and bid comparisons.

QUALITY CONTROL

We make sure that your project runs on time and within the budget. From the first day of construction until the last we provide quality control inspections and follow those up with detailed reports.

Where To Irrigate

Golf clubs must establish quality requirements for their courses. This requires club managers to work with players to create a dynamic course. Course designers use different types of grass across the 18 holes. The overarching goal for the designers is to have the highest quality grass on the greens.

When To Irrigate

In general, determining when to irrigate the golf course is done by observing several things in the field. For example, groundskeepers watch for when drought spots emerge. Additionally, they monitor the root zone to see if the grass dries out. Course managers prevent dry spots through timely and sufficient irrigation.

How Much To Irrigate

Advanced computer simulation models are used to determine the ideal amount of irrigation. Computer simulation models describe all relevant processes that occur in the soil-water-grass system. The models also calculate whether there is still enough moisture present in the soil profile to ensure the quality of the grass.

What Statistics We Need

To be able to advise where, when, and how much irrigation a golf course needs requires a few factors.

Can electronic maps be downsized?

The electronic maps can be downsized and laminated to fit into your controllers where station identification is made legible via the map . Irrigation personnel can have a waterproof laminated copy to carry around the course for quick reference.

Can Toro T.Map be loaded onto an iPad?

(Optional) With the GPS data you have the option of converting your database for use with the Toro T.Map or Rain Bird map. It can also be loaded onto an Ipad for use in the field for operating the irrigation system.

How much overlap should be between sprinklers?

Almost all experts now agree that there should be near 100% overlap of sprinklers.

Is it safe to run water through a sprinkler system?

When you turn on a faucet the water from it will often flow out at a rate that is way higher than what is safe for the pipe’s in your house. While running water for a few minutes at this flow to fill a bucket is relatively harmless, running a sprinkler system at that flow on a regular basis is not.