light brown soil

Here where I live the top soil is sand. I'm from Nebraska and out there the top soil is dark in color. Here in South Carolina the soil is as you described brown and sandy. It doesn't have much composted plant matter in it.

What can I say? These are the kind of discussions we need more of here at mylot?

Soil differs from area to area. I'm no expert by any means but I believe the darker soil contains different decomposed plant matter than the lighter soil, perhaps originating in a previously heavily wooded area as opposed to a more open area. That doesn't necessariy make it any better or worse. All soil contains nutrients that feed plants and grass.