When greens are built to USGA specifications there are a few variations. These include, to add a chocker layer between the gravel and sand layer and/or to install a wicker barrier(plastic liner). In the past, the wicker barrier will line the entire boundary of the green with a smile drain installed at the lower areas of the green. When greens are constructed without a smile drain, many times the wicker barrier will not be installed to allow water to exit the green's profile at the lowest point. Neither of these cases existed on our 10th green. There was no smile drain installed on the back left and the wicker barrier existed around the entire circumference of the green.
When we began digging into the edge of the green, it was clear the wicker barrier was causing the problem. Besides the mottled sand (iron oxidation in the soil turning the soil gray) there was water sitting against the barrier. We excavated the green down to the gravel layer and removed the entire wicker barrier along the area of concern. We installed the sand layer and sodded part of the back left side. The remaining thin areas were seeded with bentgrass.
As of today, the green was showing enormous improvement. The right side of the green is also improving and has been seeded. If we continue to have the same rain patterns, we will be removing the wicker barrier along the right side of the green as well.
Below is a photo of the wicker barrier still installed
Below is a photo of the mottled soil that was removed from the green. The mottling occurs when iron is oxidized. This is always a defining sign that there is a lack of oxygen because of the presence of water. Closely you can see the beginnings of black layer. The small of sulfur was evident when digging.
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