Hybrid Grass Guide: the uses, benefits and maintenance explained

The term hybrid grass has become associated with any pitch construction that is not 100% natural grass or 100% artificial turf.

Hybrid grass is a mixture of natural grass supported by artificial fibres. This is typically done in 2 ways, either stitching the fibres into the natural turf, or laying an artificial grass carpet on top of the natural grass. SIS Pitches offer both of these hybrid turf systems, each one having its advantages and disadvantages.

SIS Grass Hybrid is our stitched hybrid grass system, which produces a 95% natural grass pitch. The benefits are:

• 7 day installation – the fastest installation on the market
• Increased playing hours – SIS Grass Hybrid turf pitches are proven to accommodate considerably more playing hours than a 100% natural pitch. Greater durability for intensive usage schedules over an extended period of time
• Better surface stability – SIS Grass Hybrid is tested and proven to provide a turf surface that is safer for players, increasing player confidence, ability to move faster and to enable them to perform at their best for longer
• 8-10 year lifespan

Hybrid carpet systems produces roughly a 90-92% natural grass pitch. The benefits are:

• Quick installation – lay and play technology
• Increased playing hours – SIS Grass Hybrid turf pitches are proven to accommodate considerably more playing hours than a 100% natural pitch. Greater durability for intensive usage schedules over an extended period of time
• Flexible system – unlike stitched systems, carpets are easy to install and remove, which is a great option if you need a temporary solution e.g. for a concert
• 3 year lifespan 

Hybrid turf is used across a variety of sports all across the world – including football, rugby, cricket, golf and tennis. Hybrid football pitches have been used for some of the biggest tournaments in the world, including at the World Cup.

Without doubt the most important operation carried out on the pitch will be the annual renovation. Once every 12 months the sward must be cleaned out to allow the SIS Grass Hybrid fibres to be recovered and the organic build up to be removed.

The first action in any pitch renovation will be to remove the existing herbage. This is completed by using a machine known as a field top maker fitted with a UNIVERSE® Rotor. This is the only machine which should be used for this operation. This process can be carried out by clubs in house if the equipment is available or by employing specialist sports pitch contractors.

The aim of the process is to remove the herbage/organic layer, leaving only the clean rootzone beneath, ready for re-seeding.

See this process in action below, from Robert Heggie at BMO field.

Failure to renovate can result in the hybrid grass fibres becoming buried and the pitch surface becoming difficult to play on, offering poor performance for players and a risk that your surface will become damaged.

Over the season, the natural turf and organic matter can build up, which needs to be removed to recover the SIS Grass fibres and allow for a new surface to be established.

Find out more  about hybrid grass and hybrid pitch maintenance- watch our Webinar NOW

Our webinar provides the latest information on this cutting-edge hybrid grass technology including the history of the hybrid surface; its advantages and disadvantages; research results; as well as maintenance and renovation strategies.

Today, many athletes are looking to change from synthetic back to natural grass fields. This innovative technology can help you provide a more robust surface while retaining the tradition of playing on natural grass.

If you would like any more information or have any specific questions for our experts, just contact us and we would be happy to help!