A METHOD TO EVENLY APPLY FOOT TRAFFIC TO TURF PLOTS

摘要

Foot traffic can cause both wear of turf and compaction of the soil,which are often significant management challenges on a golf course resulting from the playing of the game.Traffic tolerance has been previously examined using a variety of methods including both human foot traffic as well as custom machinery; however,a methodology for producing uniform foot traffic does not exist.The objectives were to: 1) devise a foot traffic methodology that applies a controlled number of footsteps per unit area,2) compare the color and quality of trafficked turfgrass using this methodology to an untrafficked control,and 3) evaluate the traffic methodology effects on soil bulk density.Three people walking in soft-spiked golf shoes were evaluated for stride and foot lengths.This information was used to develop a walking procedure of 16 passess that evenly distributed 76 total footsteps over a 0.25 by 3.7 m traffic lane.These sixteen walking passes produced a foot traffic intensity that was similar to the number of footsteps occurring near the hole of a putting green during approximately 50 rounds of golf.A trial to compare trafficked and non-trafficked plots indicated that the damage from foot traffic applied using this walking procedure was realistic and uniform.This method would be useful to scientists interested in replicating the effects of walking foot traffic on turf.