‘The best hockey turf in the Netherlands’
Eindhoven Hockey Club report back on the play wet / play dry advantage of the Poligras Paris GT zero turf
For decades, water-based hockey turfs have been the standard for elite play. But with sustainability at the forefront of global sports, the transition to low-water and dry turfs is gaining momentum. HC Eindhoven, one of the Netherlands’ premier hockey clubs, has been at the heart of this shift. Five months after Polytan installed two Poligras Paris GT zero turfs (one irrigated and one dry), we sat down with club president Paul Manders to discuss the impact.
HC Eindhoven is the only club in the world with an irrigated and non-irrigated Poligras Paris GT Zero turf side by side. How has this setup benefited the club?
It’s a unique situation, and it gives us real insights. We can compare playing characteristics under different conditions, which most clubs don’t have the chance to do. Our women’s team trains on both turfs, and their feedback is striking – they don’t notice any difference in performance between the wet and dry surfaces. So that’s a game-changer for hockey.
“With Poligras GT zero, we have a surface that delivers elite performance while drastically reducing water consumption. That’s the future of hockey.”
Let’s START WITH the irrigated TURF. How has it performed, and what’s been the impact on water usage?
The performance is world-class. Fast, flat, and consistent. Polytan’s ET layer beneath the main turf ensures optimal playing conditions and I’m convinced that it’s the best hockey turf in the Netherlands.
What’s been really eye-opening is the drastic reduction in water usage. Previously, on match days, we would irrigate up to 10 times a day, using 35,000 liters of water. Now, we water just three times a day, cutting our usage by 70%, which is a saving of 25,000 liters per match day. And during training sessions we barely water it at all.
Interestingly, players initially felt it wasn’t wet enough because they were used to older turfs being drenched, but when we run a stick across the surface, it’s clear that there’s moisture within the turf. Over time, they’re realizing that a wet turf doesn’t need to splash to perform at an elite level. I believe that in a few years, we won’t need to irrigate at all.
How have visiting teams responded to the lower water usage?
Some visiting teams ask us to add more water because they’re used to heavily watered pitches. We explain that this new technology requires much less, but sometimes we’ll run the irrigation just to reassure them. But it’s not necessary for play. Once they’re on the pitch, they quickly adapt and appreciate the consistency.
And what about the dry turf? How does it compare to a traditional wet surface?
The dry turf has been a revelation. It plays as well as the irrigated turf, and when there’s rain or even just atmospheric moisture overnight, it retains water for a full day. Even after three or four days of dry weather, the performance only drops by about 5%, which no one notices.
Most importantly, moving from a sand-based turf to this dry Poligras surface has been a real upgrade. Sand turfs limit modern hockey skills, particularly 3D play, but our dry turf allows for all the same techniques as a wet pitch. Players can execute all these 3D skills with total confidence.
How have the goalkeepers adjusted?
There’s been some minor tweaks, but nothing significant. Goalkeepers have noticed that sliding feels different when the turf is completely dry, but they’re already adjusting by experimenting with different footwear. Otherwise, there’s been no change around injuries, ball movement, or stick behavior.
From a club perspective, how does this impact the future of hockey in the Netherlands?
We’re in a transition period. The Dutch hockey federation (KNHB) is piloting dry turfs, and currently, main pitches are still expected to be irrigated. But for clubs looking to replace their second or third turf, dry is a fantastic option.
Over time, I think the mindset will shift. Right now, people still see wet as the gold standard, but when they experience the performance of dry surfaces and realize how much water is saved that will change. At the moment, maybe only the top two or three leagues in the Netherlands will stick with wet turf, but for the vast majority of clubs, dry will become the norm.
What’s been the overall reaction from players and visitors?
Overwhelmingly positive. When visiting players step onto the blue turf, they’re wowed by it. It’s the same color as the Paris 2024 Olympics turf, so it looks and feels special. More importantly, the playing experience is fantastic.
Most Dutch hockey players don’t regularly play on irrigated turfs, so this dry surface is the best they’ve ever experienced. It plays like a wet turf, but without the water.
Looking ahead, do you see HC Eindhoven completely eliminating irrigation?
Absolutely. I’m convinced that, in a few years, our main turf won’t need irrigation at all. Players are already adapting, and the environmental benefits are undeniable. The idea that hockey can only be played on wet turf is outdated. With Poligras Paris GT zero, we have a surface that delivers elite performance while drastically reducing water consumption. That’s the future of hockey.
