Revitalising clay fairways through sustainable turf management

Pei Tou Kuo Hua Golf & Country Club

Taiwan

Written by: James Sua, CGCS

Our clay-based fairways had become compacted and lifeless, struggling under heavy use and harsh weather conditions.

To restore their health, we implemented a targeted topdressing programme that began with deep-tine aeration to open the soil and allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate. A blended mix of sand and compost was then applied to improve drainage and enrich the soil, followed by brushing and watering to work the material into the aeration holes and activate new growth. Within weeks, the fairways transformed, with noticeably thicker, healthier turf that offered smoother play and greater resilience.

This approach delivered multiple benefits, including improved drainage, reduced compaction, enhanced soil quality, and a more sustainable turf-management system with less reliance on chemicals and irrigation. The results demonstrated that even challenging clay fairways can thrive with the right care and maintenance strategy.

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