How turfRad works
Hardware: The Sensor
turfRad sensors measure root-zone soil moisture — without touching the turf and without transmitting any signal.
At the core of each unit is a passive L-band microwave radiometer adapted from climate science. “Passive” means the sensor does not emit radiation or send energy into the ground. It simply listens to the natural microwave energy emitted by the soil.
Because longer wavelengths penetrate deeper, turfRad can effectively measure moisture in the top 3-4 inches of the root zone, where irrigation decisions matter most.
Each sensor is rugged, waterproof, and designed to mount easily onto mowers, UTVs, rollers, or other turf equipment. As you mow, the sensor captures seven readings per second — translating to roughly one measurement per yard at 18 mph. This enables high-density, full-coverage moisture mapping with minimal additional labor.
Software: The turfRad Portal
Each turfRad sensor includes integrated GPS, capturing precise latitude, longitude, and volumetric water content with every scan. As soon as the vehicle returns to the shop, the data is uploaded via Wi-Fi and processed into a detailed moisture map, typically within 15 minutes.
These maps aren’t just visual, they’re actionable. turfRad overlays your irrigation layout, helping superintendents identify dry zones, optimize runtimes, and make data-driven adjustments at the sprinkler-head level.
Explore our blog for real-world examples and feature insights.
Actionable Information
Dial-in Irrigation Precisely
Statistics inform programming runtimes of individual heads
Fix Issues Before They Escalate
Detect inefficiencies and dry spots with sprinkler-level data.
Optimize Wetting Agents
Identify consistently wet or dry areas to guide product application.
Features for Directing Attention
and Monitoring Trends
Features for Directing Attention and Monitoring Trends
Compare View
Our Compare View feature allows superintendents to monitor soil moisture trends by putting daily maps side by side. turfRad stores data from the first scan, meaning that no day from the past is off-limits.
Alerts
Our Alerts feature calls attention to sprinkler heads that are most in need of being adjusted. Set thresholds for what moisture levels (VWC %) are too dry or too wet, and turfRad will highlight those heads with red or blue signals.
Sprinkler View
Quickly identify which sprinkler heads need adjustment. Sprinkler View overlays color-coded zones around each head, showing average moisture levels and flagging areas that fall outside your set thresholds.
Card View
Our Card View feature allows users to visualize a time series over a single fairway to track the impact of adjustments. Relevant statistics are included to provide a holistic perspective on each fairway, all in one window.
Creating Value
There has never been a more pressing time for golf courses to effectively manage their natural resources. Environmental and financial pressures compel superintendents to maintain a holistic view of their course conditions.
With turfRad, golf courses now can passively collect every time they mow. We make this data available in near real-time, presenting superintendents with maps and features that guide attention to the areas that are most in need. turfRad signifies a huge step forward in the mapping of soil moisture content that is easy to operate and understand.
We’re proud to share that the number of clubs creating value with turfRad is growing rapidly, as more superintendents put their trust in our technology.
Each sensor that is mounted onto the back of a fairway unit collects thousands of soil moisture measurements per fairway. turfRad also has the ability to integrate maps of the golf course irrigation system. Hovering over a certain sprinkler head will bring up statistics describing soil moisture conditions in the throw radius of that certain sprinkler, including calculations for Average Moisture and Moisture Uniformity.
Articles & Insights
Precision Irrigation at Stanford GC
Stanford Golf Course uses mobile turfRad sensors to fine-tune irrigation in real time. The result? Smarter scheduling, water savings, and consistently elite conditions across 80+ acres.
Precision, Efficiency, and Sustainable Irrigation at Fairview CC
Superintendent Jim Pavonetti uses turfRad to tailor irrigation down to individual sprinkler heads, reduce labor hours, and deliver tournament-quality conditions across a complex landscape, even after rainfall.
Data-Driven Decisions at the Memorial Tournament
At Muirfield Village Golf Club, turfRad and taskTracker work together to power efficient planning and precise turf care before, during, and after the Memorial Tournament.
Understanding How turfRad and NDVI Differ
NDVI measures turf canopy health from above. turfRad measures root-zone moisture from below. They’re not interchangeable – and this post breaks down why that matters.