The impact tester can be transported and operated by one person, enabling low-cost, fast field and laboratory testing with direct readout of results. It is suitable for testing a wide range of natural grass fields, synthetic turf fields, all athletic surfaces, pads, infill materials, and amendments where hardness or impact characteristics need to be controlled for safety or playability. Additionally, the tester can assess soil and stone encountered in flexible pavement and earthworks construction. It is ideal for quickly checking variations during construction and monitoring changes over time due to seasonal environmental factors or road traffic, as well as testing both natural and "as constructed" conditions.