{"id":7925,"date":"2025-06-19T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T22:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/?p=7925"},"modified":"2025-07-01T04:25:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T16:25:10","slug":"choosing-the-right-artificial-grass-for-hockey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/choosing-the-right-artificial-grass-for-hockey\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Right Artificial Grass for Hockey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to selecting synthetic turf for hockey fields, there are several factors to consider. This includes the type of turf, intended use and materials. Read on for a detailed breakdown of these factors to guide you in choosing the best artificial grass for hockey fields across New Zealand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Different types of hockey turf<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high-quality <a href=\"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/sports\/hockey\/\">hockey turf<\/a> should tick a few boxes: it must be durable, designed for frequent use, and safe for players. As with any fast-paced sport, hockey athletes will be crossing the turf at pace and executing complicated manoeuvres. High-performance synthetic hockey surfaces are an ideal alternative to traditional turfs, with our grain-free turfs enhancing ball performance by eliminating grab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step in choosing artificial grass for hockey is determining the type of turf you require.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Sand-Dressed<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sand-dressed turfs consist of synthetic fibres that are part-filled with sand. These result in slower play than water turfs, but are an affordable option that doesn\u2019t greatly impact performance. Sand-dressed hockey turfs are ideal for schools and competitive clubs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Sand-Filled<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More durable than sand-dressed turf, sand-filled turf are &#8211; as the name suggests &#8211; filled with sand. Because of this, they are not optimal for hockey with less ball bounce and player control. This type of turf is a good option for those seeking a multi-use turf that can accommodate tennis, football and other sports as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Water-Based\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a reason water-based hockey turfs are usually the preferred option for professional and global competitions. With an exceptionally smooth surface they ensure high ball speed and optimal player control. However, they are more costly to maintain as they require irrigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Benefits for training &amp; professional play<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Synthetic turf is a popular choice for both casual and professional hockey, thanks to its resilient nature and versatility. Below are a few of the main benefits artificial grass provides.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Accessibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Whatever the season, synthetic turf can be used year-round.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Durability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Able to withstand heavy usage with minimal maintenance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Versatility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Easily swappable for other sports, like football or tennis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Upkeep<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: No mowing or fertilising required &#8211; and it\u2019s easy to clean!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Safe<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Enhanced shock absorption and infill cushioning provide a safer surface for players.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Key specifications &amp; material choices<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the central specifications and material options available to you is important when choosing which artificial grass to go with. You are wanting a balance between safety, player precision, maintenance and affordability.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Product specifications<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Piles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Depending on the turf type, pile height (the height of the \u2018blades\u2019) will vary between 8 and 18 mm. The shorter the piles, the quicker ball speed you will have.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infill<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Infill varies according to turf type, with sand-dressed turf featuring minimal sand infill, sand-filled turf full infill and water-based turf no infill.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stitches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Stitch density impacts ball roll and surface consistency. Look for a high stitch rate for best results.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Backing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Choose latex or polyurethane for resilience and performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Yarn materials<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several yarn options, each with their own pros and cons.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nylon: Highly durable with outstanding ball roll, but costly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polyethylene: Soft and more flexible than nylon.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polypropylene: An affordable option with a firm base, but not suited for competitive play due to poor durability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Installation &amp; maintenance<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have chosen the type of turf you want and materials, it should be professionally stalled for optimal safety, longevity and performance. We\u2019ve prepared a short summary of installation steps to give you an idea of what is required during this important phase.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Installation steps<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Site Preparation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First the site must be prepared, with any foliage, debris or rubbish removed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Excavation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Next, the topsoil will be removed and the surface smoothly levelled. A base layer of crushed stone will be laid and compacted to provide both stability and drainage. Perimeter edging is installed to provide a sturdy boundary.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Turf Laying:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your beautiful new turf will be carefully rolled out and aligned for seams and lines to fit snugly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Seaming: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seaming tape and glue is used to join turf rolls.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infill Application:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the turf is sand-dressed or sand-filled, at this point infill will be applied and evenly distributed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Water System:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the turf is water-based, an irrigation system such as cannons or overhead sprinklers will be installed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Line Marking:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lastly, lines will be applied according to your intended usage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Maintenance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Installation is just one phase of the process. Maintenance is key in ensuring you get the most out of your artificial grass for hockey and that it lasts for years to come. Professional maintenance will deliver best results, and can be ordered to suit your needs and budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regularly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Frequently brush the turf to remove any debris and ensure a clean, even surface. Check infill levels and surface for wear and fill or adjust as needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Quarterly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A deep groom should be performed every few months to keep your turf in top shape and stop the infill from dispersing.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Yearly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Thoroughly check seams, edging, lines and infill or irrigation depending on the turf type.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Your sustainable synthetic turf partners<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to purchase premium-quality, long-lasting artificial grass for hockey? Discover more about TigerTurf\u2019s sustainability values and practices <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/sustainability\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/contact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call now<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started on your synthetic turf journey!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to selecting synthetic turf for hockey fields, there are several factors to consider. This includes the type&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hockey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7925"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7925\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7928,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7925\/revisions\/7928"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}