To Turf or Not to Turf

A look into Santa Clara’s switch towards synthetic turf

There is nothing like freshly cut grass and real dirt. Picking chunks out of your cleats at the end of practice or a game is a sacred feeling. However, in recent years, turf has been making its case as the forerunner of the field. It’s undeniably smooth and, when bored on a water break, it feels great to run your hands through and watch the synthetic shards fly around. 

Factoring in a diminishing water supply, injury concerns, health concerns and, of course, costs, choosing between turf and grass can be difficult.

Santa Clara seems to be somewhat split between picking a favorite. Stanton Soccer Field and Bellomy Field are synthetic turf, while Stevens Stadium remains a grass setup. Stephen Schott Stadium recently made renovations to move to an all-artificial turf setup in the infield and outfield. Three of the four major facilities have moved to turf in recent memory–and if trends continue it wouldn’t be a stretch to guess that Stevens Stadium will soon follow suit.

“It comes down to what incentives Santa Clara is willing to run towards.”

Is it the cost that makes the decision? The types of injuries athletes sustain? Or simply what’s easier to maintain in the long run? 

Turf is cheaper over the course of time and doesn’t need to be replaced like grass surfaces do, so it’s easy to see why Santa Clara made the switch. The renovations also decrease water usage and required maintenance. But over time, maintenance with turf can be negligible with costs, almost like you’re going grocery shopping. On the other hand, the maintenance costs of sod add up considerably.

But turf is not without its faults. Santa Clara should proceed with caution–if turf is not done right, it can be a real health risk–beyond making us feel out of touch with nature. 

A 2018 study done by the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology on rubber-granulate-filled turf found that “the PAHs in rubber granulate may potentially lead to an increased cancer risk.”

However, should turf continue to trump real grass on campus, a real conversation is to be had about which turf is the right one, as some turfs can can increase injury risk. Non contact knee/leg injuries have become more prevalent on synthetic turf. In the 2022 Super Bowl, Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr tore his ACL in his knee by simply running across the field without contact. It’s only one injury, but if you were to sit down over the course of a NFL season, the amount of non-contact injuries on turf fields would certainly raise an eyebrow. Grass is notoriously more forgiving–with turf, it’s more like you are walking on a floor, and the possibility of injury has high volatility. 

In a 2021 study, the National Library of Medicine reported that certified, softer turfs can prevent muscle damage and promote easier recoveries. A softer field means less muscle damage when sprinting, changing direction or making contact with the surface. In addition, harder, non-certified turfs were found to delay the recovery process. 

Grass also promotes faster sprint speeds than turfs, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Their study found that artificial and sand turfs can actually slow athletes down. 

Santa Clara has made their choice in moving towards synthetic turf. But it’s important to understand what surfaces you are putting your body on the line for. Next time you hit the pitch, pay attention to the Earth beneath you–and what goes into getting it there.