- Does Sand Capping Affect My turfRad Readings?

Short answer: Yes — sand capping can influence your turfRad moisture readings.

Why Sand Capping Matters

turfRad sensors measure volumetric soil moisture using passive microwave technology. These microwaves interact differently depending on the soil type and composition.
When sand is introduced as a capping layer, it changes how those microwaves reflect and are absorbed, which in turn affects the sensor’s moisture response.

What This Means for Your Data

If your entire course is sand-capped, our team can tune your turfRad sensors so they accurately reflect those specific soil conditions. This ensures consistency across your maps and reliable comparisons over time.

However, if sand capping only applies to a single fairway or a small area, it can affect your readings. Mixed soil conditions — for example, native soil on some holes and sand-capped soil on others — will cause the readings to vary naturally. Recognizing this helps us interpret your data correctly and make any needed adjustments.

What To Do

If you have sand capping on part or all of your course, or if you’re planning to start a capping project:

1. Reach out to the agronomy team before or after scanning.
   Miranda Robinson, Agronomy Advisor: miranda.robinson@terraradtech.com
   Dave Wilber, Director of Agronomy: dave.wilber@terraradtech.com

2. Share which areas are affected (hole numbers, sections, or specific fairways).

3. We’ll review your data and, if needed, adjust the sensor calibration to account for your specific soil profile.

Summary

Sand capping changes how microwaves interact with the soil, so yes — it affects your readings. The good news is that turfRad can be tuned for your course conditions, ensuring you get accurate, consistent moisture data across every fairway.