Introduction
Proper drainage on a golf course ensures maximum usage of the course
while maintaining healthy and attractive grass. Whether due to excess
rain or imbalanced irrigation, golf course soils frequently become
saturated. Saturation leads to unhealthy turf due to disease and/or
compaction.
Frequently,
especially in arid regions, it is advantageous to collect excess
water for use in ponds or irrigation rather than to allow it to
flow away. Multi-Flow is a superior drainage system with the ability
to accomplish what other systems cannot. It is very efficient at
collecting excess water from saturated areas.
A few
samples of Multi-Flow golf course drainage can be found in our Sample
Projects file.
Advice on golf course drainage design is located in the Drainage
Design section of Engineering, while sample drawings can be
found under Details
and Plans. Detailed installation assistance is provided in the
Golf Course section
of Installation.
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Typical
vertical installations
Because
Multi-Flow is typically installed in a 4 inch wide trench,
it is conveniently installed vertically wherever trenching
is required. In new construction but even more importantly
in remedial settings, the amount of spoil that needs to be
hauled away and the amount of backfill that needs to be carried
back in are important factors in determining time and cost.
Furthermore, in remedial settings, the reduced scarring is
also an attractive benefit of Multi-Flow. |
Fairways
– Single trunk lines running the length of a fairway or just
through low areas can provide effective drainage. Spurs off the
left or right or both into low-lying areas adds effectiveness.
Cart
paths – When a cart path acts as a barrier to normal
water movement from a higher to lower area, a Multi-Flow line can
act as an escape route for water. In low lying areas, Multi-Flow
collector lines on both sides of the path can prevent the saturation
and deterioration of the path base.
Bunkers
– Trenching Multi-Flow into the bunker base places it out
of reach of maintenance equipment. An intensive pattern provides
even and prompt drainage without encouraging the migration of bunker
sand during heavy rain events.
Other
– Single vertical runs of Multi-Flow are often the best solution
to soggy areas in tees, roughs, flower beds, and transition areas.
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Typical
horizontal applications
In settings where all of the soil has been temporarily removed,
exposing a clay base, no trenching is needed. Multi-Flow can simply
be rolled out and installed horizontally. Recent research by Dr.
Ed McCoy at Ohio State University has demonstrated that this trenchless
system provides drainage effectiveness similar to trenched systems
without the extra time and expense involved.
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Greens
– Greens are most effectively drained with an intensive pattern.
This produces two desired effects: excess water is removed quickly
and minimal migration of soil particles occurs. When drain lines
are distributed throughout the green, water simply moves straight
down. Water that moves gently and a minimal distance is less likely
to dislodge soil particles. This exposes the drainage system to
less danger of blockage.
Bunkers
– A similar pattern is sometimes utilized in bunkers if the
bunker has a wide flat bottom. Frequently bunkers require substantial
drainage capacity because surrounding greens or fairways slope toward
them.
Four reasons for using Multi-Flow on your course
Whether it is new course construction or the renovation of an existing
course, Multi-Flow is a wise choice because Multi-Flow is 1) easy
to use 2) long lasting 3) highly efficient 4) cost effective.
1.
Easy to use – At least three factors make Multi-Flow
a product that designers, contractors, and superintendents love
to work with:
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Shape
– Because of its panel shape, Multi-Flow can be inserted
vertically in a narrow trench or laid out horizontally, without
trenching. Either way, it is a great time saver. Vertical
installations in a narrow trench are common in fairways. Horizontal
installations are common in greens. |
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Connectors
– Not only are Multi-Flow connectors easy to use, there
are a lot of them. Any configuration that is appropriate for
a given site can be carried out using one or more of the 60
Multi-Flow connectors. |
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Flexibility
– Multi-Flow is highly flexible making it convenient
to work with, suitable for making tight turns, and easily
joined to connectors. |
2.
Long lasting – Multi-Flow enjoys longevity because
of:
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Strength
– Multi-Flow is designed to withstand heavy loads. Able
to withstand loads well in excess of 6,000 psf, Multi-Flow
is not going to collapse due to heavy surface loads in shallow
installations or due to earth weight in deep installations.
Heavy trucks and equipment are rare on courses but when they
do venture out they can cause significant damage. One trip
with a dump truck across a shallow collector line can render
the line useless. Multi-Flow can withstand this kind of abuse. |
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Compatibility
with BMP installation techniques – The Multi-Flow
system includes a heavy effective geotextile filter. This
high quality fabric acts as an excellent secondary filter,
keeping Multi-Flow’s flow channels clean and open. Clean
coarse sand acts as a very effective primary filter. Due to
its shape, Multi-Flow is easily encased in sand, assuring
a long life. When placed in a 4 inch wide trench Multi-Flow
is readily protected in this way. This would be difficult
if not impossible using French drain methodology. |
3.
Highly efficient – Golf course drainage systems must
be able to collect and transport water. Multi-Flow excels in both
regards:
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Water
can enter a Multi-Flow drain more readily because Multi-Flow
has greater surface area than traditional round pipe. The
more drainage product that is in contact with surrounding
saturated soil, the more quickly drainage can take place.
A foot of 12-inch Multi-Flow provides 312 square inches of
collection area while a 4-inch round pipe offers less than
half that amount, 150 square inches |
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Once water has entered Multi-Flow flow channels, it moves
away quickly because the channels are round and unobstructed,
in contrast to other panel shaped drains. |
4.
Cost effective – A completed Multi-Flow system
typically costs about 
half
the total of a comparable French drain system. Add to that its longer
life and Multi-Flow begins to look very attractive! Now factor in
the cost of tee times and disgruntled customers and it is a system
you cannot afford to live without!
Golf Course Drainage Design
Golf Course Drainage Installation
