The exact cost of materials will vary depending upon a number of factors such as
- availability;
- whether they are specialist or general materials;
- the quality of the material, especially top-dressings;
- location of the site for delivery from the supplier;
- quantity of materials being purchased - discounts for large quantities.
How much of the fairways are actually treated can significantly affect the total materials budget.
The area of the fairway grass has been based on the following:
- 4 x Par 3 holes @ 150m each = 600m;
- 4 x Par 5 holes @ 450m each = 1,800m;
- 10 x Par 4 holes @ 350m each = 3,500m.
- Total length = 5,900m (6,450 yards).
- An average width of fairway is taken as 30m for this exercise and the grass content (in contrast to playing over rough, heather etc. to get to the fairway or green) is estimated as 90%.
- The total fairway grass area is therefore 5,900 x 30 x 0.90 = 159,300m², say 160,000m², or 16 hectares.
If we take the maintenance calendar as a guide, the following costs might be incurred:
| Material | Quantity and unit cost | Total cost (2003) |
| Fuel for machines | 1,400 gallons @ £3.00 per gallon for agricultural diesel (Based on an approximate 1 gallon per hour usage) |
£4,200 |
| Seaweed extract | £1,100 per application (for 50% of the fairway, i.e. 8 ha) | £1,100 |
| Grass Seed | Spring & Autumn repairs - 1 bag each period; Seed for divoting in the growing season - 2 bags. Total = 4 x 25 kg bags, @ £110 each |
£440 |
| Sand | For worn traffic areas during the autumn/winter period ~ 5 tonnes @ £22 tonne | £120 |
| Pesticides: | (These costs will vary depending upon chemical ingredient and concentration of the chemical) | |
| Herbicides | £600 per application (for 25% of the fairway, i.e. 4 ha) | £600 |
| Insecticides | £3,300 per application (for 25% of the fairway, i.e. 4 ha) | £3,300 |
| Total | £9,760 | |
Allowance may need to be made for any machines that have to be contract hired, for example a vertidrain. Costs will vary, however, a guide of £400 per day might be used for general budget purposes.