Procedures for taking and sending samples

PROCEDURES FOR TAKING AND SENDING SAMPLES AND TURN-AROUND TIMES

Taking Samples:

Submit a one gallon sample of every material to be tested. Always take a representative sample of the material to be tested. Small quantities of materials may not be representative and can cause misleading interpretations of the results.

Zip-Lock plastic bags are the preferred container for sending samples. Place about one gallon of the sample into a Zip-Lock plastic bag. Place the plastic bag containing the sample into another Zip-Lock plastic bag, top end of first bag at the bottom end of the second bag.

For existing greens, take about 10 soil probes with a one inch aluminum or PVC pipe, and sample to the depth of the rootzone mix which is normally 12 inches. Mix the soil in a plastic bucket and place the composite sample into a double Zip-Lock plastic bag as described. When replacing cups, the soil plug can be used as a sample of existing green if it is thought to be typical of the entire green and typical to a depth of 12 inches.


	Sand samples should be taken from several places in the pile in 12 inch probes, mixed well, and placed in double Zip-Lock plastic bags as described. Organic materials are usually consistent so a random sample should be representative unless it is thought that the quality of a local product may vary. Samples should be labeled and easily identifiable. Black felttip pens such as MarksALot work well when writing on plastic bags. Please do not use paper labels inside the container of moist samples, as they usually fragment. Also, do not put moist soils or sand into paper bags. The lab will attempt to use your preferred materials in testing for USGA golf green construction. If there is a choice of materials based on cost, accessibility, etc., send a note indicating your preference, and we will give your preferred materials every opportunity to pass USGA recommendations. Sending Samples Samples should be packaged securely in double ZipLock plastic bags inside cardboard boxes. UPS or U.S. Mail usually takes 1 to 3 days to arrive. Express shipping takes overnight if time is of the essence. Send samples to the following address: Tifton Physical Soil Testing Laboratory, Inc. 1412 Murray Avenue Tifton, GA 31794 Phone No. (229) 382-7292 Fax No. (229 ) 382- 7992 Turn-Around Time Our normal turnaround time is shown on the Lab Fee Sheet. We FAX or EMAIL the results to you upon completion of the tests and mail a hard copy to you for your permanent files Please include the following information with your samples: Company, Contact person, phone, fax, e-mail address, tests requested, and whom to bill