With winters becoming significantly wetter in recent years (including 2023 being one of the wettest on record and overall winter rainfall rising compared with earlier periods) many ranges are seeing balls plug deeply into soft, saturated ground. This makes mechanical collection difficult, and in some cases, impossible, meaning a proportion of balls are simply unrecoverable. The scale of the problem can be substantial. According to a report carried out by Great Aycliffe council, they have ordered an additional 25000 balls on top of the 12000 they usually order, entirely due to the issues with waterlogged ranges and balls plugging.
TurfMesh offers a practical solution by reinforcing natural grass surfaces while still allowing normal grass growth and mowing. By stabilising the turf, the mesh spreads point loads and dissipates the energy of ball impact across a wider area of ground. This reduces the likelihood of balls penetrating deeply into the soil, keeping them closer to the surface where they can be collected more easily. The result is a smoother collection, fewer lost balls and less time wasted on manual retrieval, particularly during prolonged wet periods.
How Does It Prevent Ball Plugging?
TurfMesh prevents ball plugging by reinforcing and stabilising the upper layer of turf, so the ground resists deformation when a ball lands. As grass roots grow through the mesh, they interlock with the structure to form a strengthened composite surface that spreads impact forces across a wider area instead of allowing them to concentrate in one spot.
The rhomboidal mesh structure distributes the impact of the ball as it hits the ground, dissipating energy across multiple strands rather than allowing it to concentrate in a single spot. This significantly reduces soil displacement and limits how far the ball can sink. As a result, balls are more likely to remain visible or only lightly embedded at the surface, making collection quicker and more efficient.
TurfMesh also helps maintain a firmer, more consistent surface during wet periods by supporting the turf and reducing rutting from maintenance vehicles and ball pickers. By preventing repeated trafficking from churning the ground into soft, muddy patches, the mesh preserves surface integrity so that even in prolonged rainfall the landing area retains enough stability to resist plugging.
Understanding Reinforcement Mesh
TurfMesh is a premium, heavy-duty grass reinforcement system, specifically suited to driving ranges, where large volumes of ball impact and frequent collection traffic can quickly wear and soften natural turf. It is engineered to create a resilient, load bearing surface while maintaining the natural look and performance of real grass, allowing ranges to preserve a traditional outfield appearance without resorting to hard surfaces such as tarmac.
Manufactured from high-density polyethene combined with EVA foam, TurfMesh offers the best balance of strength, flexibility and longevity that is particularly valuable on driving ranges. This advanced material blend is renowned for its durability and non-slip qualities, providing a stable surface for maintenance vehicles and ball collection equipment even during prolonged wet periods.
TurfMesh vs Natural Grass
| Features | With TurfMesh | Without TurfMesh |
|---|---|---|
| Prevents Ball Plugging | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Supports Collection Vehicles | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Reduces Mud Build-Up | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Prevents Rutting & Damage | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Lower Ongoing Maintenance | ✔️ | ❌ |
Why TurfMesh Outperforms The Rest Of The Market
TurfMesh is designed to outperform other ground reinforcement solutions by combining heavy-duty strength, advanced safety features and long term durability in a way that traditional grass protection cannot match. Unlike standard turf mats or tarmac surfaces, it preserves the natural look and performance of grass while providing a reinforced structure that withstands repeated high-impact loads, such as thousands of golf balls on a driving range.
Its textured, slip-resistant surface supports players, maintenance staff and mechanical ball pickers without damaging the rootzone. Resistant to UV degradation, rot and chemicals, it retains both strength and appearance over many years. By protecting turf, reducing ball plugging and simplifying maintenance, TurfMesh provides driving ranges with a durable, high-performance solution.
- Three grades available
- Simple to install
- Allows natural grass growth
