What is Augusta’s hi-tech SubAir system? How powerful vacuums make puddles at The Masters disappear in just 30 seconds
WITH rain forecast for Saturday’s play at Augusta, you could be forgiven for worrying about the conditions hindering play.
And you’re likely to hear commentators mention this, when the heavens opens.
But, the hi-tech SubAir system at the Masters makes puddles vanish in 30 seconds, so heavy downpours shouldn’t disrupt the action.
The underground system provides, “aeration, moisture removal and root zone temperature control in order to create an optimal subsurface growing environment for deep-rooted, resilient, healthy green grass.”
In English, it can remove rainfall from the playing surface and will make for dryer greens far quicker than if they dried naturally.
And it’s not just in wetter conditions where the SubAir system can be used.
When it’s dry, put the system on pressure mode and it will deliver air to the roots below the greens to encourage growth.
How does it work?
A SubAir system can be installed into the existing drain system of a green on a top course.
There is a blower/vacuum machine, a series of pipes and valves, and sensors under the green.
The vacuum’s motor is stored in a below-ground vault on the high side of the green that has a vent above the surface.
This vent is the only portion of the system that is visible from the surface
A vault with a blower unit installed at the greenside is set electronically to either go into moisture removal mode, or blowing mode.
When there’s water to contend with, both water and air are sucked through the turf using the sucker.
The water goes into the drainage system, and through the natural drain routes of the green.
The air is sucked into the vault and above the ground.
Pressure modes sees the air pushed up through the soil to help growing conditions with aeration and temperature control.
It’s up to greenkeepers to keep the course in order.
History
The first Augusta green to receive the privilege of the SubAir system was the 12th – the most prone to flooding.
However, creator Marsh Benson who helped the installation noticed a marked improvement on the turf.
That meant it was installed all across the board.
Now, 500 plus golf courses, including Congressional and TPC Sawgrass, now have SubAir systems.
However, they don’t come cheap.
At around £25,000 per green, including the expense of supplying power, golf clubs will have to put their hands in their pockets for it.