As technologies increase, the world changes in many areas. Technology has come to change things for the better, but it also causes a lot of controversy, as one of the most significant examples today is in sports. Natural or synthetic grass? 

The first and foremost reason is injury. Data from 2012 to 2018 indicates that players experienced a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries on artificial turf. Specifically, when playing on synthetic surfaces, there was a 32% increase in non-contact knee injuries and a 69% increase in non-contact foot and ankle injuries.

This debate can be controversial and the controversy is still there when we bring it to the college level. A recent study by Katerina Kerska, an intern at National Center for Health Research, shows that the NCAA is no different. In Div. II and III, there were 142 ACL tears on turf, while natural grass had 111, despite athletes spending more time on grass. The variance was even more pronounced for PCL tears, with 3.3 tears per 10,000 competition exposures on turf versus 1.1 per 10,000 on grass.

“I would say yes, there are more injuries on turf than on the grass, but I haven’t coached many games on a grass field,.” Britt Howard, coach of the Lakers women’s lacrosse team, said. “I only played on grass and I know it didn’t have that many injuries.”

That is the second point of the debate: How can we use a stadium for shows and festivals without damaging the natural grass? 

Maintaining a synthetic pitch is cheaper, quicker and easier than maintaining a good-quality natural pitch. A study by Sports Venue Calculator shows that maintenance costs for turf are $6,000 – $10,000, while for natural grass they are $18,000 – $44,000. The approximate price per hour of use for turf is $29–$52, while for natural grass, it is $52- $108.

“I think especially at the collegiate level. We play a lot of games early like February, March…” Howard said. “With our games being earlier in the season. We need the turf field so we are able to get games in.”

Another argument often used is that many natural grass fields are poorly maintained, which affects the quality of the game and causes more injuries.

“When I grew up, if you played in a good grass field, fantastic, but a bad grass field can get you an inconsistent bounce and it goes over the goalie’s foot and is in the net,” Kane said. “I also think it’s easier for a grass team to go to turf compared to a turf team going to a mediocre grass.”

However, what many consider to be the most important is the third most important point: the quality and difference in playing on the two fields. Anyone who has played sports on both fields knows the difference and the impact this has on the game.

“For me a great grass field beats a turf field,” Kane said. “However, it’s hard to maintain a good grass field.”

“I would say it’s hard for me because I went to school in the south and the weather was better. I personally prefer playing on the grass field more than on the turf field,” Howard said.

Photo by: Pixabay via Pixels