Few things are more frustrating than closed greens, soft fairways and restricted cart use after rain. Yet many courses still rely on drainage systems that were designed more than 50 years ago – systems that typically rely on main lines with laterals or slit drains to move surface water away.
Golf clubs need solutions that improve playability without shutting down holes for weeks at a time, and the pressure on course conditions has never been greater with golf membership here in New Zealand up 4.62% between 2023 and 2024.
That’s where Hydrowick is changing the game.
Hydrowick is a modern, highly effective drainage system that’s designed to be installed quickly and discreetly, with minimal disruption to the playing surface.
In most cases, a full green can be completed in a single working day and is typically playable the following day – a fraction of the downtime required for traditional drainage methods that often involve full green reconstruction and lengthy recovery periods, which impacts members, revenue and reputation.
With more than 2,000 installations already worldwide across greens and fairways, Hydrowick is a proven, long-term solution for standing water, soft surfaces, and failing legacy drainage. Manufactured from durable fibreglass, it will not degrade, collapse, or clog with organic matter, ensuring consistent performance year after year.
Hydrowick works by using passive capillary action – it actively draws excess moisture from surrounding soil rather than relying on gravity alone. Once optimal moisture levels are reached – approximately 18–21% – the system naturally stops draining, preventing over-drying and maintaining healthy turf. Clients consistently report reduced irrigation demand during summer and dramatically faster recovery after heavy rainfall.
Many facilities begin by treating their worst-performing greens and, after seeing immediate improvements in firmness and playability, progressively expand installation across additional areas. Installation depth is tailored to each site’s soil profile to maximise performance, and every area is left clean, level, and fully restored—often within the same day.
Pakuranga Golf Club Course Superintendent, Peter Boyd, had this to say about this recent installation of the Hydrowick drainage system at Pakuranga.
“We installed the Hydrowick system prior to winter last year to a 60-year-old green that consistently is near-on unplayable during the winter months.
“The results and transformation in the quality of the surface in such a short period is amazing and certainly exceeded our expectations – the product and procedure is a game-changer for drainage options.
“Right from the initial consultation to the installation and follow up Turf & Drainage have been a pleasure to deal with.”
All Hydrowick installations are completed by our experienced Turf & Drainage team and can be delivered as a standalone service or integrated into wider projects such as cart paths, retaining walls, coring and harvesting, or full renovation programmes – saving time and reducing overall disruption.
Hydrowick is also highly effective across a wide range of sports surfaces and, thanks to its unique design, can be installed level over distances of up to 35 metres while still actively drawing water from the surface – ideal for difficult or flat sites where traditional drainage struggles.
Using a purpose-built installation machine, we often coordinate regional projects to maximise efficiency and minimise mobilisation costs. We work closely with each client to develop the most practical and cost-effective solution for their facility.
Bottom line: less downtime, faster recovery, healthier turf and more days of play.
Hydrowick is available exclusively in New Zealand through Turf & Drainage NZ.
Please call Nick Freeman to get a quote or find out more: 021-190-6509 or email us at nick@turfanddrainage.co.nz
Or visit our website: www.turfanddrainage.co.nz
