How To Build An Artificial Putting Green In Your Backyard

It takes a considerable effort to maintain natural putting greens on golf courses. These surfaces are almost impossible to have at home. But if you are a golf fan, adding an artificial putting green to your backyard is the perfect alternative. Here is what you need to know about these surfaces!

What Is Putting Green Turf?

An artificial putting green is a fake grass with a low pile height that supports golf ball movement. These surfaces are lower than the fake turf you use for the lawn to ensure the ball rolls smoothly. Manufacturers use synthetic fiber, and the idea is to resemble the grass used on actual golf courses.

How to Choose the Best Artificial Turf for Putting Green

You need an outdoor putting green turf that can handle environmental factors. It shouldn’t fade under the influence of UV rays, and it should be capable of resisting rain and other weather conditions. Here are the main features to consider when choosing the putting green surface!

Face Weight and Pile Height

It described how much your outdoor putting green surface weighs per square yard. You’ll find the standard turfs to be from 21 to 40 oz. But if you want a top-quality putting green, go with 41 to 60 oz. The additional material will make your turf denser, which improves its longevity.
Another thing to consider is the pile height, which describes the turf’s thickness. Outdoor fake grass for gold should be from 0.5 to 0.75 inches thick. It ensures golf balls move smoothly.

Stimp Rating

This rating shows how fast a golf ball rolls on the surface. If the artificial turf putting green has a high stimp rating, the ball will move fast. You measure this reading by using a Stimpmeter. It’s a metal ramp you use to check how far the ball will go on the chosen surface.

Here are the three main categories of Stimp ratings recommended by UGSA and US Open

Slow. The stimp reading is anywhere from 4.5 to 6.5 feet.
Medium. It’s for the ratings between 6.5 and 8.5 feet.
Fast. If the rating is 8.5 to 10.5 feet, you get a fast surface.

You can adjust the velocity by manipulating the infill quantity. If you add infill, it will boost the speed of your putting green surface.

Turf Material

Synthetic fibers are the primary material for artificial turfs, and manufacturers choose the following for putting green surfaces:

Nylon. It’s the most common and durable option. It can withstand heavy traffic, and it’s resistant to fire. However, nylon is sensitive to UV rays, so it could fade over time.
Polyethylene. Manufacturers use recycled plastics to make this fiber. It’s resistant to sunlight and non-abrasive. Add an affordable price, and you get an excellent option for outdoor fake turfs.
Polypropylene. It’s also resistant to the sun and fire, but you need to choose a suitable option. Polypropylene is mildly abrasive, which makes it durable even during frequent use.

Color of Artificial Putting Green

It’s a putting green surface, so the color would obviously be green. However, you can pick from multiple shades. You want fake turf that looks realistic but also one that fits your outdoor area. So, when thinking about a small backyard putting green ideas, match it with the rest of the setup in your garden.

How to Build a Backyard Putting Green

If you get a green kit, make sure to follow the instructions provided. But if you want to install the artificial grass yourself, here’s a quick guide:

Pick the location and size. For example, you can go with a single hole in a small backyard or a large putting green surface in big gardens.
Mark the area. Once you do, take out the sod within its limits and pick up all debris.
Excavate the zone. Use a weed killer and put landscape fabric to prevent it from growing.
Place the cups. You can dig small trenches to drain rainwater.
Design the base. Spread crushed stone evenly and run a lawn roller to make the ground smooth. Remove the stone and use a shovel to make cup holes.
Pre-shrink the surface. Do this only if the instructions say so, but please note this step will take at least a day.
Position the turf. You can use a utility knife to cut it where necessary. Use landscape staples or turf pegs to secure the putting green.
Place a border. It’s easiest to put a retaining wall.

How Much Does a Backyard Putting Green Cost?

If you go with a DIY kit, you’ll pay anywhere from $6 to $18 per square foot. The price depends on the quality and the brand. As for the standard packages, the cost per square foot decreases with large sizes.

For example, if you pick a small putting green, it might cost you $30+ per sq. ft. But if you need more than 2,000 sq. ft, that price can drop to $15 per square foot. Contact our team to learn more!

Putting Green Design Ideas: How To Build An Artificial Putting Green In Your Backyard