Turf Vs. Natural Grass

People disagree on whether artificial turf or natural grass has more benefits.

Both natural grass and artificial turf are common among sports fields in the United States. They each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks, such as cost differences, maintenance differences, possible differences in injury rates and environmental differences.

Function

Artificial turf provides a safe surface for sports and other events year round, despite varying weather conditions. Natural grass, can become muddy and have worn spots with heavy use or wet weather. Artificial turf also works for indoor fields, while natural grass does not.

Cost

Experts debate whether turf or grass is more cost-effective. Turf requires less maintenance despite a higher installation cost. However, turf often needs to be replaced before natural grass and does require occasional repairs and chemical sanitization.

Environmental Effects

Turf often has recycled rubber bits to simulate dirt in between grass blades. The New Jersey Education Association warns that the rubber in turf could have negative health effects. Turf also costs more than natural grass to uninstall and creates waste.

Safety

Turf gets hotter in the sun than natural grass, potentially contributing to dehydration and heat-related health problems in athletes. Some studies show more injuries on grass compared to turf, while others suggest more injuries on turf fields.

References

• National Center for Sports Safety: Football Injury Analysis Field Turf Vs. Natural Grass
• University of Arkansas Turfgrass Science: Synthetic (Artificial) Turf vs. Natural Grass Athletic Fields
• New Jersey Education Association: Grass Playing Fields Vs. Synthetic Turf
• Hospital for Special Surgery: Artificial Turf: Does it Increase the Risk of Sports Injuries?