Why Brush Sports Pitches, and What to Use?

A pitch can be freshly mown and still look untidy. Grass flattened by play may escape the blades, damp clippings gather into clumps, and a persistent nap can leave the finish uneven. Brushing before mowing helps put these problems right by lifting the grass and preparing a more consistent surface for the mower.

For a club or school with limited staff, the useful question is how to fit brushing into the working week without creating another lengthy job.

Give the mower a better starting point

Grass that lies in one direction is harder to cut evenly. Simply lowering the mower can remove more upright growth while still missing some flattened leaves. Brushing lifts that growth so the cutting cylinder has a better chance of cutting it cleanly.

This is particularly useful after a match or training session, when feet and machinery have flattened the grass down. Change the direction of routine brushing rather than repeatedly reinforcing the same lay. The aim is an upright, even sward, with the striped presentation providing a welcome finishing touch. 

Deal with moisture and loose material

Morning dew makes the grass leaves wet even when there has been no rain. Dispersing it before mowing helps the turf to dry, enabling cuttings to be better dispersed without clumps of loose clippings, preventing them being left in conspicuous lines.

Removing dew reduces the period of leaf wetness that favours fungal turf diseases, reducing disease risk. It also helps open up flattened growth. Together, these effects make brushing a useful part of routine pitch care, rather than an operation reserved for presentation before important fixtures. 

Match the brush to the area

For a small training area, a narrow brush may be perfectly adequate. Across several full-size pitches, however, working width becomes much more valuable. A machine that covers the ground quickly is easier to use regularly alongside mowing and marking out.

The GreenTek Maxi-Brush has three folding sections giving a 5.4m working width. It can be used with suitable compact tractors or utility vehicles, allowing clubs to make use of an existing power unit. Manual folding is standard, with hydraulic folding available as an option. 

Its usefulness also extends to renovation work. The Maxi-Brush can be reconfigured as a six-row, 1.8m topdressing brush, concentrating the brushing action to work material into the sward. This gives the same brush a practical role in both routine maintenance and seasonal renovation. 

Choose differently when wormcasts dominate

A general-purpose brush can disperse light wormcasting, especially when casts are reasonably dry. Heavy casting presents a different challenge: damp casts can smear over the grass instead of breaking apart.

Where wormcast dispersal is the main reason for buying, the Flicker-Brush is the better choice, having been specifically designed for this purpose. Its long bristles flex backwards and spring forwards as the machine travels, shattering and dispersing casts. The 2.2m version suits sports pitches and smaller sites; the 5.3m model provides wider coverage for fairways and multiple pitches.

How much does it cost?

The Maxi-Brush will cost you approximately £6,000 in 2026.  A cheaper narrow brush may suit one small area, but the Maxi-Brush’s wider working width can make regular work across several pitches much more practical. Also consider the value of its topdressing role when comparing ownership costs.

Ask your GreenTek dealer to demonstrate the Maxi-Brush on a representative pitch. But if wormcasts are the chief problem, the one to ask for is the Flicker-Brush.

Frequently asked questions about brushing sports pitches

Should I brush a football pitch before or after mowing?

Before mowing is generally the most useful sequence when the aim is to lift flattened grass and disperse dew. Brushing can also be used separately for presentation or to work in topdressing. Choose the timing around the task and the condition of the pitch. 

How often should a sports pitch be brushed?

Inspect the pitch alongside your mowing routine. Brushing may be useful before mowing when there is dew or flattened growth, and after play where the grass has been laid over. Reduce or postpone it when the turf is stressed, frosted or too soft to carry the vehicle. 

Does brushing prevent turf disease?

It can reduce leaf wetness by dispersing dew and help maintain a more upright sward. This contributes to disease management, but does not replace sound drainage, nutrition, mowing and monitoring.

Can the Maxi-Brush work in topdressing?

Yes. It can be changed from its 5.4m configuration to a six-row, 1.8m topdressing brush. Judge the amount of brushing needed by how readily the material works down into the grass. 

Which brush is better for heavy wormcasting?

The Flicker-Brush is designed specifically to shatter and disperse casts without smearing, even when damp, making it preferable when heavy wormcasting is the main concern. The Maxi-Brush suits broader routine pitch duties, including light cast dispersal. 

Will a brush improve a worn goalmouth?

It can lift surviving grass and tidy loose material, but it cannot replace missing plants or remedy compaction. Worn goalmouths may need aeration, overseeding, suitable topdressing and a period of reduced use.