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Sportsmen and sportswomen the world over enjoy playing on well-drained turf. Almost all soils drain naturally but in the majority of cases natural drainage is insufficient to meet today's sporting requirements. Sportsturf drainage differs markedly from agricultural drainage; sportsturf is a permanent crop and relatively delicate and needs to be treated as such. Other differences are highlighted. The latest techniques of sportsturf drainage are explored and a comparison of cost and effectiveness of three approaches to intensive drainage systems made. The latest machinery to undertake this drainage is considered with examples of costings and the productivity improvements resulting. The approaches to research and development of both drainage systems and machinery are outlined together with the role that universities can play in commercial developments. Manufacturing techniques will be considered.