As water restrictions tighten and sustainability targets become more pressing, golf courses and sports turf managers are under growing pressure to reduce water usage without compromising turf performance. One increasingly viable solution is subsurface drip irrigation (SDI)—a highly efficient method that delivers water directly to the turf’s root zone.
By applying water below the surface, SDI reduces losses due to evaporation and wind drift, while promoting deeper rooting and more uniform soil moisture. For many turf managers, particularly those overseeing golf courses, sports fields, or amenity landscapes, SDI offers a way to enhance turf health, reduce water costs, and future-proof irrigation infrastructure.
Subsurface drip irrigation consists of a network of drip lines buried beneath the soil, typically between 50 and 100 millimetres deep. These lines contain emitters that release small amounts of water directly into the root zone.
Common applications include bunker surrounds, tee complexes, steep banks, native areas, and landscaped roughs. Increasingly, it is also being used in fairways and out-of-play areas as part of a broader water conservation strategy.
Subsurface irrigation significantly reduces evaporative losses and eliminates wind drift. This method provides greater uniformity of distribution and ensures that nearly all applied water reaches the turf’s root system. If you have key areas on your turf where irrigation systems are unable to consistently irrigate, supplementing it with SDI can help address the problem quickly.
By maintaining consistent soil moisture at depth, SDI promotes deeper root growth and reduces surface wetness. This, in turn, lowers disease pressure, improves drought resilience, and can reduce the need for hand watering or reactive maintenance during dry periods.
Modern SDI systems allow for precise zone control, enabling irrigation schedules to be tailored based on soil type, sun exposure, slope, and usage. When integrated with moisture sensors and central control software, subsurface systems can optimise water use on a micro-scale.
Because emitters are buried, SDI systems operate without interfering with mowing, foot traffic, or play. This makes them ideal for areas where surface sprinklers may be damaged or difficult to maintain.
Despite the clear advantages, SDI is not a universal solution and must be implemented thoughtfully.
Installation Complexity: Subsurface systems require accurate trenching, filtration, pressure regulation, and zoning. Retrofitting can be challenging on established turf areas without proper planning.
Maintenance: Emitters must be protected against clogging, often necessitating filtration systems and periodic flushing. Water quality is a key consideration.
Root Intrusion: In certain soils and turf types, roots may invade emitters. This risk can be managed with periodic system cycling and chemical root inhibitors.
Cost: Capital costs are higher than traditional sprinkler systems, particularly for retrofits. However, water savings and improved turf resilience often justify the investment over time.
Subsurface drip irrigation is particularly well suited to:
Bunker surrounds and tee complexes with irregular shapes and limited accessibility
Steep slopes and banks where overhead watering is inefficient
Landscaped areas where aesthetics and water conservation are both priorities
Sites facing water restrictions or high potable water costs
Native or naturalised areas with targeted rehydration needs
For many New Zealand clubs and commercial turf operators, SDI offers a long-term strategy to adapt to changing water regulations and climate pressures.
As exclusive New Zealand distributors of leading irrigation and turf brands, Parkland works closely with superintendents and contractors to deliver intelligent water management solutions. Our team supports a full suite of subsurface technologies—from dripline systems and advanced filtration to moisture monitoring and integration with central control platforms.
We offer technical advice, system design support, and access to global best practice, helping clients future-proof their irrigation strategies.
As climate variability increases and water-use scrutiny intensifies, the industry will need to adopt smarter ways to irrigate. Subsurface drip irrigation isn’t just about water savings, It’s about delivering high-performance turf under tighter environmental and economic constraints.
If you’re exploring ways to improve irrigation efficiency without compromising playability, subsurface irrigation deserves serious consideration.
Talk to our team about subsurface solutions tailored to your course, project, or development.
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