Performance of Sporting Synthetic Turf

Modern synthetic turf materials have been designed to withstand freezing temperatures with the 3rd generation polyethylene fibers proving to remain as soft and flexible when subjected to snow as they are in the warmer climates. The infill that is used today are also suited to the cold weather slowing down the freezing process and compacting down to provide a stable surface regardless of how adverse the conditions get.

As opposed to regular grass, which suffers in winter with dead grass and brown spots a common occurrence, synthetic grass continues to look good through the winter months and actually requires less maintenance. The care that might be required to maintain regular grass through these colder conditions is less because the freezing temperature of synthetic grass is lower than normal grass.

In fact, when synthetic grass is still as soft and cushioned as it always is, regular grass can have frozen and become rock hard making play dangerous.

Residential Synthetic Grass

It’s the same with residential synthetic grass. Even though there are concerns that artificial grass may not look lifelike, particularly when it is partially covered with snow, the appearance of 3rd generation synthetic grasses are still very difficult to distinguish from real grass.

Where there is going to be an obvious difference between synthetic grass and natural grass through the colder months is that the synthetic grass is going to continue to look lush and green while the natural grass lawn is going to go brown as it dies off. This green appearance is surely something to embrace rather than deride.

Drainage Remains Good

When the ice and snow begins to melt away from the synthetic grass surface it must have somewhere to go. This is not a problem for the perforated backing of synthetic grass which allows the melting liquids to drain quickly away without creating any pooling or leaving any marks on the surface. In fact one of its strengths is the superior drainage of synthetic grass.

Just as synthetic turf and synthetic grass performs well in warmer climates it can be relied upon to perform strongly when it’s cold. In some cases it might even be a preferable option and will allow activities to take place where they might otherwise have had to be abandoned.

But It’s Not Completely All-Weather

Although a synthetic turf pitch can withstand the effects of cold temperatures to a greater degree than natural grass it is not necessarily true that the surface is playable no matter what the conditions. A surface that has been completely covered by snow and ice should still be considered unplayable. This is because the fibers can become brittle and be damaged under heavy use when in this condition.

If the ice and snow have begun to melt and the water is draining away, and the infill is thawed enough to get good purchase with cleated boots then it can be used.

Pitches that have only received a light dusting of snow are certainly suitable for play. Rather than go to the expense and trouble of trying to clear the snow from the playing surface the best way to remove it is to play on it.

Clearing a heavy layer of snow from the playing surface may require a snow plow with a rubber edged snow guard fitted to it. When clearing the snow, though, it is highly advisable to clear it down to a depth of 5cm above the surface to ensure the grass fibers are not damaged.

It is possible that a synthetic turf pitch can become flooded if the underlying infill has been frozen. This flooding will not cause any damage to the turf itself and the water will naturally drain away once the infill thaws. But this could be another factor that may prevent play from taking place.

The members of the club voted with a greater than two-thirds majority to replace the natural lawn a couple of years before work began. The cost of the project is roughly $400,000 and this has been raised over the period of four years.

A ban on using pesticides in the region as well as the annual cost of maintaining the lawn, which runs to around $10,000 per year, has made the decision somewhat easier. With the potential for the lawn to be taken over by diseases such as mould and fungus growth, there was a good chance that the natural grass lawn could be destroyed without the move to artificial.

By moving from natural grass to synthetic turf it is possible that the club could provide play for its members all year round. This is a significant step up from the current length of the playing season which only lasts for five months of the year from May to October.

There is an expectation that the new surface will take some getting used to with the bowls typically travelling more quickly across the synthetic surface. However once the adjustment has been made it is expected that the club members will appreciate the superior playing surface and longer length of the playing season.

The move from natural grass to synthetic grass for lawn bowling clubs is not a new one with a number of clubs already having made the switch.

The choice of installing a synthetic turf surface comes down to a few factors, similar to factors that are cited in the decision making process for other fields. Price and ongoing costs is certainly one big factor. Installation of a turf field typically costs around $1 million which may appear to be a steep upfront cost but the ongoing maintenance costs are far lower than the costs related to the natural grass surface.

Practice on the field will also be possible all year round without the problems of the playing field being ripped to shreds due to the high traffic levels.

Concerns about perceived negative factors surrounding artificial turf such as the high temperatures or abrasion injuries may be relieved to hear that with the newer 3rd generation synthetic turf both of these factors are being overcome. The newer form of synthetic turf features longer grass fibers made from polypropylene that sit in crumb rubber and silica fill. The result is a far more padded surface that is less prone to the abrasive nature of the sand-filled 2nd generation surfaces.

In fact, the new synthetic turf surface that FieldTurf and other similar companies supply now would be far more padded than a natural turf surface that is most likely to be hard and compacted, having been baked under the Arizona sun.

As far as the concerns over temperatures radiating from the surface of a synthetic turf field, the new monofilament fibers of today’s synthetic grass cuts down this heat significantly.

Those opposed to the replacement of natural grass with synthetic have also cited the risk of staph infection due to the bacteria living in the fibers. The fact is that bacteria cannot survive very long in synthetic turf and a recent study has demonstrated that there is no risk of MRSA emanating from playing on a synthetic turf surface.

With all of that being said, there is no guarantee of exactly what form the surface of the playing arena is going to take. It must be remembered that at this stage there is only the assertion that UA officials are “absolutely exploring” the option of replacing the natural grass with an artificial alternative.

TenCate has come up with a new weaving process that provides the grass with a greater resilience to the flattening process. What normally happens with most third generation sports synthetic turf surfaces is that the grass fibers begin to flatten over time and constant use. This is a twofold problem in that the performance of the ball is reduced and the field takes on a far more artificial appearance.

The weaving process with the synthetic turf used for the new pitch is a multilayer process that allows the fibers to take on the job of the infill to some extent. As well as keeping the fibers standing more upright for longer the weaving process will also give the synthetic turf a longer lifespan.

This new weaving technology from TenCate has another positive aspect and that is that the process allows a consistency of raw materials to be used throughout and this means that the pitch can be recycled far more cost effectively when the time comes.

The weaving process that will be used for the Heracles stadium will provide better coverage over the polyolefin infill. The tufts of grass that will be used to create the playing surface will be more tightly packed and will be made up of fibres of different structure and composition. It will be more pleasing to the eye and will give the pitch a more natural appearance because the yarns can be woven into the structure at varying distances and depths which will ensure there are no grass stripes formed as a result.

TenCate will be bringing this new version of its synthetic turf to the market under the name of its partner GreenFields Sports Turf Systems. The various TenCate synthetic turf products that will be distributed using this new weaving technology will do so through a number of different partners in order to increase the reach around the world.

‘In the past a loose natural grass tuft could affect the final score in a negative way. We can now state that the synthetic turf tuft as we produce it will make a positive difference’, says Hugo de Vries, commercial director of GreenFields. ‘Unlike traditional tuft methods, the new weaving technology enables us to incorporate larger tufts of synthetic turf with a different structure and height into the top layer. This gives a very natural effect, without the disadvantages of a natural grass pitch.’

For companies such as GreenFields as well as for installers the marketing of this weaving concept will also reduce the risk. The product is produced by a single party as a complete product, with fewer critical production steps. Hugo de Vries: ‘The fact that TenCate is responsible for the entire production process means that end-users will have a greater degree of confidence in the performance and sustainability of the top layer. GreenFields too is constantly engaged in innovating synthetic turf systems and in improving its quality. This innovation process has been strengthened thanks to the intensive collaboration with TenCate.’

Related articles:

TenCate Reduces Synthetic Turf Temperature

One valid criticism that had not been properly dealt with was the increase in temperature on hot days of a synthetic turf field in comparison one made from natural turf. It appears that this may be one the verge of being solved now.

TenCate Grass is a leading producer of synthetic grass fibers and components and the company is responsible for TenCate XP Blade™, one of the most preferred synthetic grass blade options for sporting fields worldwide. The problem of elevated temperatures on artificial fields is due to heat absorption but TenCate has now come up with HR heat reflective technology that is being applied to its TenCate XP Blade™ fibers.

Heat Reflective Technology

The requirement for the ability to reduce the temperature of the artificial playing surface is essential and TenCate have been able to build the HR technology into the fibers as part of the manufacturing process. The result is that TenCate XP Blade™ fibers are going to be offered with the HR technology at no additional cost, making it a first.

Laboratory tests have been conducted on the TenCate XP Blade ™ fibers with HR technology added and the results have been a reduction in temperature of around 17.5 degrees F.

Durable and Cooler

TenCate XP Blade™ is a synthetic turf that has been preferred for the installation of soccer fields around the world with more than 3,500 installations completed. The reason that it is favoured over other types of grass is because of its extreme durability. Any field that is going to be exposed to high traffic levels will perform well with the XP Blade ™ fibers. The addition of HR technology to the grass fibers makes this a product that is not only more durable than other options but also cooler too.

A recent study released by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences has found that the staphylococcus aureus bacteria do not survive in a synthetic turf environment. The results of this study should allay the fear that people have had where they believed getting an abrasion injury on the artificial surface would lead to a staph infection because of possible bacteria in the field.

Staphylococcus Aureus

The Staphylococcus Aureus bacterium commonly found anywhere that a human is or has been. It lives harmlessly on the skin or in the nasal passages. It is when it is introduced into the body through cuts or incisions that infection can occur and this infection may be life threatening.

A strain of the bacterium has developed a resistance to the synthetic penicillin antibiotic that is typically used to treat a staph infection. That strain is known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is this strain that is responsible for the majority of skin infections contracted by sportsmen and women that require emergency room treatment.

Synthetic Turf Does Not Harbor Staphylococcus Aureus

The study that was conducted by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences consisted of 20 infilled synthetic turf fields situated in a variety of locations in Pennsylvania. These locations included both indoor and outdoor fields. The study found no trace of staphylococcus aureus bacterium in any of the fields.

The study went further, identifying the level of microbial colonies across all of the synthetic turf fields and also included sample processing from a native soild and a sand-based natural turf athletic field. Sample swabs were also taken from other surfaces that are commonly used in a sporting field environment as well as individuals too.

The results showed that neither the synthetic turf playing fields nor the natural turf playing fields tested positive for the presence of S. aureus. Other surfaces such as human hands and faces, used towels and some training equipment did test positive.

Interesting Findings

There were a number of interesting findings to come out of the Penn State study. The most notable figures were the significantly higher number of colony forming units of the bacteria in natural grass compared to any of the synthetic turf samples. No colonies of S. aureus were found on any of the fields involved in the study.

One of the reasons given for the poor survival rate of bacteria in synthetic turf is actually one of the negative aspects quoted by many opponents – high temperature. The survival period of the S. aureus bacteria was very short in outdoor conditions and it appears that the exposure to ultraviolet light and higher temperature is a very effective method for eliminating it.

Further Insights

The author of the study is Andy McNitt who is an Associate Professor of Soil Science. He shared the following insights into his findings.

“These infilled systems are not a hospitable environment for microbial activity. They tend to be dry and exposed to outdoor temperatures, which fluctuate rapidly. Plus, the infill media itself (ground-up tires) contains zinc and sulfur, both of which are known to inhibit microbial growth. Considering the temperature range for growth of s. aureus is 7 to 48 degrees Celsius, we didn’t expect to find this bacterium in fields exposed to sunlight, since the temperatures on these fields frequently exceed 48 degrees.”

“The microbe population of natural turf grass far exceeds anything we’ve found in the infill systems,” McNitt says. “In fact, a number of the infill systems had zero living microbes in the sample at the time of testing.”

“Some other studies indicate that a player playing on synthetic turf may acquire more skin abrasions due to the abrasiveness of the surface,” McNitt says. “Thus, they have more entry points for the staph, but they’re not getting it from the field — they’re picking it up in the locker room or somewhere else. One study shows that players who shave their ankles prior to taping up, for instance, also have a greater incidence of staph because the shaving creates little nicks for infection to enter.”

Reference Material

For those interested in reading more about the study in question you should visit the link below. This is a copy of the entire study including the findings and discussion points. It should be of interest to anyone who has worries about letting their children or other family members play sport on artificial turf.

McNitt, A.S., D Petrunak, T Serensits. 2006. A Survey of Microbial Populations in Infilled Synethtic Turf Fields

There are a lot of different companies producing quality artificial putting green surfaces so it is worth getting an idea of exactly what is available for someone who is looking to install one in their backyard.

Firstly, not all putting greens are made from the same materials. The grass fibers are made from either nylon or polypropylene with the difference being not only the look of the surface but also in the way the ball reacts on it. The different types of putting green grasses will also require a different amount of infill which will also have an effect on the way the ball reacts.

ProGreen has been producing artificial putting surfaces since 1987 and the company has a range of different models of grass available. This should ensure that you will be able to choose a green that looks like a real green as well as perform like one.

Here are the various types of grasses available from ProGreen

Progreen PG Augusta

This is a polypropylene putting surface that is more likely to be used as a chipping green. When the putting surface is installed over aggregate base it is possible to chip to the green from up to 40 yards out. This putting green requires 3 lbs of infill sand which will make the surface more receptive to the ball. The height of the pile is 9/16” and the height may vary +/- 1/8”. The grass comes in 15’ widths and the color is limited to Verdent Blend

ProGreen PGN Tournament Multi-Blend

As the name of the grass suggests this is a high quality nylon surface that is ideal for putting and close chipping. The grass may be installed either over an aggregate base or glued over a concrete surface. The point of a nylon artificial grass green is that the ball roll will be true and it will continue to be true for years to come. The pile height is 7/16” and the color options are Primavera/ Forest Green.

ProGreen PG 2500

This is an outdoor putting green surface but has been made with a yarn called olefin. This is a design that allows more fibers to touch the ball than any other comparable turf. The yarn is a fibrillated yarn and is the softest yarn available. This artificial grass should be installed over an aggregate base and it will perform well as a putting surface or you can chip to it from a distance of up to 040 yards.

ProGreen PG 4000

This is another putting green surface that uses olefin fibers that has been woven at 7600 denier. It should be installed over an aggregate base and it is should be infilled with a silica sand and fine crumb rubber mix. It is possible to chip to this type of green from up to 150 yards out.

As can be seen from the above ProGreen covers all of the different types of putting green surface s required. It also provides an indoor grass with the name ProGreen Patio Turf and this has been specifically designed for indoor use as a surface that has been glued to a hard surface. It is the sort of artificial grass that would be used on a miniature golf course.

When you come to buy an artificial putting green from ProGreen you should be aware that the company has a minimum order size of 12′ x 15′. This doesn’t mean that you can’t buy a smaller putting green, it just means that if you want one that is smaller you will have to buy the artificial grass from the remnants section.

For lots more information about what ProGreen can offer someone looking to buy and install a backyard artificial putting green, visit the ProGreen website.

For an artificial putting green in particular, the presence of moss growing over the surface is a problem that must be dealt with quickly because it is crucial that the surface is smooth and allows the ball to roll without impairment.

The process of removing moss from the surface of artificial grass is a straightforward one, the main requirement is that you are vigilant and deal with the problem as soon as possible.

Brush Your Artificial Grass

Frequent brushing of your artificial grass will be beneficial for a couple of reasons. The first is that it will allow the grass fibres to stand upright in cases where they may have been squashed down. Brushing the grass will dislodge trapped dirt and grit and will allow the air to reach deeply into the pile. The brushing process will also remove any early growth making it a quick and cheap method of controlling moss.

The problem with the presence of moss on the surface of your artificial grass is that it is very likely that the spores are present below the surface within the shockpad or base below. In this case you are going to have frequent problems with the moss quickly returning after the surface moss is removed. This is where a chemical solution is going to be necessary.

Fungicide and Herbicide Removal

If you have let things go for a number of weeks or you find that moss has taken hold still go through the brushing or raking process. This will be a first step in a chemical removal process.

Purchase a recognized moss and algae killer, there are a few good ones available around the world. You will need a window of dry weather to perform the task. Starting with a dry surface, spread the moss and algae killer over the surface of the artificial grass and then simply leave it in place. A moss killer such as Batimoss CR or TerraCyte will continue to work until it is rinsed away by rain and will kill the existing growth plus the spores that would otherwise allow regrowth to take place.

A few chemicals that may be useful to consider include chlorothalonil (brand name Daconil Ultrex), copper hydroxide (brand name Junction) or carfentrazone (brand name Quicksilver). Make sure the instructions on the label are followed closely.

If you want to prevent moss from returning to your putting green there may be some changes to the conditions that will have to be made. Given that it is unlikely that the putting green can be moved to a sunnier spot, you might have to find a way to remove the source of the shade. Failing that, more frequent maintenance in which the grass is brushed or raked will have to take place.

So what makes synthetic turf a 3rd generation synthetic turf?

• Grass fibres are 55mm or longer
• Fibres made from polyethylene
• Infill consisting of rubber granules, a combination of rubber granules and sand or a thermoplastic compound such as Ecofill
• A sports grass that more closely approximates natural grass

The grass fibres of a 3rd generation synthetic turf are much longer than those of the earlier products. They are greater than 55mm and they are spread further apart with infill, either an EPDM rubber and sand combination or a more advanced infill such as EcoFill. These grass fibres are usually no longer made using polypropylene but the rather softer polyethylene. The combination of the longer grass fibres, the addition of infill and the space between the fibres means it is safer to play on, football studs will sink into the surface putting less stress on player’s joints.

The use of the term 3rd generation artificial turf originally referred to artificial turf that was used on football fields. These days it is applied to any of the newer types of artificial grass that uses the polyethylene yarn that provides the more lifelike appearance that is helping to carry the industry forward in popularity.

The Role of Infill In 3rd Generation Artificial Turf

The important factor of 3rd generation artificial turf is not only the way the surface responds to a player’s feet hitting the ground, but also the way the ball responds as it rolls along the surface. It should roll freely but it should not skate away from the person trying to control it. In other words the grass should be long enough to have an effect on the ball and the infill should act in a similar fashion to the dirt or sand that occurs naturally under the grass.

One of the newer innovations that is being used by a few of the companies producing top quality synthetic turf is the use of EcoFill. This is a manufactured product that is used instead of the rubber and sand combination. It is a product that is completely free of the risk of heavy metals or carcinogenic substances and it reacts in a manner that is far more closely related to earth.

The purpose of synthetic turf infill is primarily to ensure the grass fibres stand up in much the same way that dirt promotes the trajectory of real grass. What it should not do is provide a rebounding effect for the foot. When laying rubber granules down as an infill the effect was one of tremendous energy return when the foot struck the ground. This energy return had the effect of putting muscles and joints under tremendous stress making the body feel more tired as a result.

Pictured above is a cross section representation of one of the premier types of 3rd generation synthetic turf, MondoTurf.

One of the noted problems with earlier synthetic turf surfaces has been the high temperatures that are reached due to the turf and the rubber infill. Tests have shown that artificial turf surfaces that use EcoFill infill experience 50% less overheating than that of a surface that has been filled with black rubber granules.

Although 3rd generation synthetic grass was initially developed for the sport of football it has become so successful in its mimicry of natural grass that it is proving to be very valuable as a domestic grass. The fact that they are non-abrasive, tend not to overheat and that they provide you with a surface that can be mistaken for the real thing has led to a growing acceptance towards using it in the backyard.

First of all there are two types of synthetic grass yarn to choose from: nylon and polypropylene and they provide you with different properties. A good way of working out whether you want a nylon or polypropylene putting green might be to figure out how you are more likely to use the green. If you are planning on using the green to hit short to mid-range chip shots into, it might be best to go with a polypropylene green. For a small green that is going to be installed in the backyard, you would be better to install a nylon putting green.

A polypropylene golf green will hold a ball that has been chipped to it from a distance much better than a nylon green. The reason is due to the amount of infill that a polypropylene surface uses. Polypropylene allows more room for infill which has the result of being more receptive to a bal landing on it at speed. A nylon surface will also handle balls hit to it from short distances but you would have to add extra infill to the surface.

As a backyard putting green surface the best material to use would be a nylon-based artificial grass. Nylon will give you a truer ball roll and this would be the case over a longer period of time, too. It is a durable material so it is going to withstand adverse conditions very well. The maintenance requirements are lower with nylon, mainly because of higher proportion of infill that is required with polypropylene.

The only caution with installing a nylon artificial grass putting green is the possibility of a characteristic known as “moisture regain”. This is something that can be mitigated by putting the grass through a pre-shrinking process but otherwise it will result in the turf expanding and contracting depending on the humidity level. For this reason it is recommended to only use nylon for putting greens that are less than 30’ x 30’.

When looking for a suitable artificial grass surface you might notice a figure for something called denier. Denier is a textile term that refers to the density of a fiber or fibers that comprise a cloth or, in this case, artificial turf. The standard way that denier is calculated is to weigh nine thousand meters of the material with the figure being the weight in grams. The higher the denier of an artificial grass for putting greens the bulkier it is and the longer it will take to soften. An artificial grass denier might start at around 5700 and the highest you might look for at 7600 denier. This figure will give you an idea of the durability of the surface.

For most people who are planning on installing a backyard putting green the durability of the grass fibers is not going to be a big issue. The most likely scenario is that you will want to buy a nylon-based artificial grass because it requires less maintenance, there is less infill and the ball will roll truer.

Another factor that is going to have to be taken into consideration when choosing the product that you are going to buy is the issue of the backing that is going to be used on your grass. In order to get the best results with a nylon artificial grass you will need thick rubber backing to support the fact that it is most likely going to expand and contract with the weather. You don’t want your puting green to develop wrinkes and inconsistencies in the surface and the weight of a thick rubber backing will help in this situation.

Make sure you do your research when buying an artificial grass putting green and understand why you might need nylon over polypropylene or vice versa.

Thought will also have to be given to the position of the backyard putting green, particularly where shade is concerned. A putting green that is placed in an overly shady spot may develop a problem with moss growth which is going to require a great deal of regular maintenance. Although positioning the green in a sunny spot won’t mean there will be no moss problems, it will certainly inhibit the growth.