One solution that has gained traction across newbuilds and renovations is the incorporation of inorganic porous ceramic soil amendments into rootzone blends. These materials are manufactured through a controlled calcination firing process, which creates durable particles that maintain their structure indefinitely. What sets porous ceramic amendments apart is their stable, inorganic structure and functional internal porosity, which supports consistent drainage, accessible oxygen and retention of plant-available water and nutrients over time. Because they resist breakdown and compaction, these materials remain permanently in the rootzone, helping preserve healthy soil structure and the performance characteristics established during construction – unlike organic amendments that degrade and restrict pore space. While every project’s rootzone specifications are unique, porous ceramic amendments consistently support several key goals. They help water move through the soil more evenly, encourage deeper and healthier root systems, and help minimise the swings between too wet and too dry that can create unpredictable playing conditions. The resulting benefits lead to fewer corrective maintenance practices and more consistent course conditions, ultimately supporting both the superintendent’s management goals and the architect’s design vision. From a design standpoint, these improvements translate into greater consistency in how features play. Firmness, ball response and surface character remain closer to what was intended at construction, even under stress from weather or traffic. As a result, long-term maintenance demands often decrease, not through reduced care, but through fewer interventions that would otherwise alter playability or compromise design features. Taken together, these outcomes have important implications for how architectural intent is preserved. From my experience working alongside architects and superintendents during renovation and construction, I’ve seen how closely the performance of soil is tied to how a design functions. Soil may not be the most visible element of a project, but it plays a significant role in how the final product supports the architect’s goals. Features such as surface firmness, moisture uniformity, green consistency and the recovery of stressed or 41 Photos: Profile Golf Profile’s rootzone solution was used for Tom Doak’s renovation of the Pete Dye design at Crooked Stick: enhanced soil structure helps maintain the integrity of the design
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