Turf-Tec International is now offering the FieldScout TruFirm Tester. Based on technology developed by the USGA, the FieldScout TruFirm offers a quick, easy and affordable method to measure the firmness of turf and sand bunkers. Data acquired from the device allows golf course superintendents and sports turf managers the ability to take appropriate actions to reach the desired firmness of golf course greens, fairways, and bunkers, as well as other playing surfaces.

The primary objective for the development for the TruFirm is to improve championship-caliber playability by cultivating greens that are both firm and fast. By measuring the relationship between the compaction of the soil and the moisture level, golf course superintendents and greenkeepers are able to ensure healthy, aesthetically pleasing greens that offer exceptional playability. Objective data measurements allow turf management professionals to balance the fine line between soil moisture and firmness, which can challenge even the most experienced experts in the industry.

The patented TruFirm system utilizes a hemisphere-shaped impact hammer that mimics the shape of a golf ball to better simulate golf ball drops. The mass is dropped from a consistent height and the maximum turf penetration value is recorded and correlated to the surface firmness - the lower the penetration value, the firmer the turf.

The FieldScout TruFirm was designed to be user-friendly. The lightweight design results in an easily portable device with the need for extra parts. Measurements are instantaneous, and logged data can be sent via Bluetooth to a mobile/handheld device for plotting specific greens or other surfaces. A free associated smart phone application allows users to analyze greens over nine distinct segments to evaluate trends and monitor sections of green relative to one another.