Football Pitch FAQ 4. How can we reduce divoting on our pitch?

Divoting can be a more significant problem where the surface is relatively soft, where the root depth is shallow and also where the density of rooting is limited and not well bound (or anchored) to the soil.

Compaction, poor drainage and a range of other conditions can all influence the ability of the turf to divot quickly and excessively.

The aim then will be to produce a deep and dense rooted sward, and at high end league pitches this will also mean the use of reinforcement material to aid pitch stability and reduce divoting, but this latter feature is very expensive, hence only being suitable for mostly professional clubs.

Good drainage, aeration and the development of a healthy strong sward will help provide the basis for a more divot resistant sward. One key factor to consider is your mowing height and frequency – too short and taking too much leaf off at one time will severely limit root development.

Playing matches on ground conditions which are relatively wet will provide a soft surface which is much easier to kick out and divot than a drier more resilient surface.

Having a match cancellation policy for certain softer ground conditions might be a requirement if divoting is otherwise going to be a problem and concern. Clearly a balance will need to be made to ensure adequate games are played, whilst at the same time aiming to retain a minimum level of surface quality.