Assessing the water retention, porosity and density of rootzone and soil

Percolation Rate / Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
ASTM Method : F1815-11 Determines how quickly water moves through rootzone mixes and bunker sand
Percolation Rate, Densities & Porosities
ASTM Methods : D5550-06 (Particle Density) & F1815-11 (Percolation Rate, Bulk Density & Porosities)
USGA Test (Premixed Sample)
ASTM Methods : D4972-01 Re-approved 2007 (pH), D5550-06 (Particle Density), F1632-03 Re-approved 2010 (Particle Size Distribution), F1647-11a (Organic Matter) & F1815-11 (Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity & Bulk Density) A complete physical analysis of the rootzone mix – compared to the 2004 USGA Recommendations
USGA Test (Best Mix Ratio)
ASTM Methods : D4972-01 Re-approved 2007 (pH), D5550-06 (Particle Density), F1632-03 Re-approved 2010 (Particle Size Distribution), F1647-11a (Organic Matter) & F1815-11 (Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity & Bulk Density) A complete physical analysis of 3 laboratory-formulated and prepared rootzone mixes to establish the optimum ratio of components in the mix – compared to the 2004 USGA Recommendations
Water Release Curve
ASTM Methods : D5550-06 (Particle Density) & F1815-11 (Water Retention, Porosity & Bulk Density) Total, air-filled and water-filled porosity and water retention tested at 6 tensions (depths) are calculated. Can be used to determine the minimum depth of fairway capping sand

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Latest News

An R&A appointment for European Turfgrass Laboratories (ETL)

ETL, a Labosport Group company in Central Scotland, are proud to announce that they are now the official testing laboratory for The R&A, supporting testing for all Professional & Amateur event venues.  Sharon Singleton-Bruce, Managing Director of ETL says “this is an amazing opportunity for the laboratory, and we are looking forward to working with The R&A’s agronomists, Alistair Beggs, Richard Windows and Adam Newton.” 

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Relating Greens Organic Matter (LOI) to the Age of Golf Greens

This, our second article aims to investigate the relationship between the amount of organic matter in greens and the age of the greens. We hope this helps provide added perspective for managing your greens and provides an insight for members within your clubs.

The management of organic matter is one of the more complex maintenance and renovation tasks for Course Managers around the world, due to its immediate conflict to presenting smooth and fast putting surfaces.

European Turfgrass Laboratories (ETL) annually tests organic matter at 20mm segments for hundreds of golf courses all over the world, from over thousands of individual greens, from a variety of venues including courses with push-up greens, links style and USGA-type golf greens of all ages. This data helps Course Managers communicate better with their stakeholders and make more informed decisions. Read more

Relating Greens Organic Matter (LOI) to the Amounts of Sand Applied

The management of organic matter is one of the more complex maintenance and renovation tasks for Course Managers around the world, due to its immediate conflict presenting smooth and fast putting surfaces.

European Turfgrass Laboratories (ETL) tests organic matter at 20mm segments for hundreds of golf courses annually, from over thousands of individual greens from local authority low budget courses to the world best championship courses. This data helps Course Manager communicate better with its stakeholders and make more informed decisions. Read more…

Organic Matter Testing #3

In this, our third article on organic matter, agronomist, Charles Henderson will cover the complex subject of its reduction. Organic matter, in general, is on the increase. Therefore, this makes the reduction of organic matter in greens, relevant to over 90% of us who are involved in managing golf (and bowling) greens, an extremely important subject. Read More.

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