What’s the Best Artificial Turf for a Putting Green? Putt Pro-75 vs. Augusta
The best artificial turf for a putting green comes down to four things: a short pile height (roughly 1/2″ to 3/4″), a tight machine gauge, a high face weight, and sand infill to lock the fibers in place. Regular landscape turf has none of these, so a ball wobbles, bounces, and dies before it reaches the cup.
Festival Turf carries two dedicated putting green turf options for residential and commercial projects: Putt Pro-75 and Augusta. Both share the same 3/16″ gauge, so the real choice comes down to pile height, fiber, and density.
- Choose Putt Pro-75 if you want the shortest, tightest surface. It has a 1/2″ pile, a 50 oz face weight, and needs 2 lbs of infill per square foot.
- Choose Augusta if you want a denser green with a bentgrass look. It has a .71″ pile, a 60 oz face weight, and needs 2.5 lbs of infill per square foot.
- Both drain 30+ inches of rain per hour, ship in 15′ x 100′ rolls, and carry a 15-year warranty.
Putt Pro-75 vs. Augusta: Side-by-Side Specs
Every number below comes straight from each product’s Technical Data Sheet (TDS), not marketing copy.
| Spec | Putt Pro-75 | Augusta |
| Pile height | 1/2″ | 0.71″ |
| Machine gauge | 3/16″ | 3/16″ |
| Face weight | 50 oz/sq yd | 60 oz/sq yd |
| Total weight | 75 oz/sq yd | 85 oz/sq yd |
| Dtex | 8,000 | 5,500 |
| Fiber | Monofilament PE | Monofilament PP |
| Thatch color | Emerald + Lime bi-color | Flower Green + Flower Lime bi-color |
| Tuft bind | 10+ lbs | 10+ lbs |
| Infill ratio | 2 lbs/sq ft | 2.5 lbs/sq ft |
| Primary backing | Double polypropylene (6 oz) | Double polypropylene (6 oz) |
| Secondary backing | Polyurethane (19 oz) | Polyurethane (19 oz) |
| Drainage rate | 30+ inches/hour | 30+ inches/hour |
| Roll size | 15′ x 100′ | 15′ x 100′ |
| Shipping weight per roll | 805 lbs + 5% | 890 lbs + 5% |
| Rated applications | Putting greens, bocce, commercial or residential | Putting greens, bocce, commercial or residential |
What Makes the Best Artificial Turf for a Putting Green?
Five specs decide how a synthetic green plays. Here’s what each one means in practice.
Pile Height
Pile height is how tall the fibers stand. Shorter pile means less fiber for the ball to push through, which gives a smoother, truer roll. Putting turf generally sits between 1/2″ and 3/4″. Putt Pro-75 sits at the bottom of that range, and Augusta sits near the top.
Machine Gauge
Gauge is the distance between rows of stitched fibers. A smaller number means tighter rows and fewer gaps for a ball to catch on. Both products use a 3/16″ gauge, which is tight. Landscape turf is typically stitched with a wider gauge, often 3/8″ or more, which leaves more space between rows.
Face Weight and Dtex
Face weight is the ounces of fiber per square yard, not counting the backing. Higher face weight means a denser surface that resists wear in high-traffic spots like the area around the cup. Augusta leads here at 60 oz.
Dtex measures yarn weight (grams per 10,000 meters of fiber), which works as a stand-in for strand thickness. Putt Pro-75’s 8,000 Dtex means each strand is heavier, while Augusta packs more face weight using a finer 5,500 Dtex yarn. In practice, finer yarn at a higher face weight means many more strands per square yard, so Augusta’s surface looks and feels fuller. Putt Pro-75 uses fewer, thicker strands, which gives it a sparser, tighter face.
Fiber Material
Putt Pro-75 uses polyethylene (PE), and Augusta uses polypropylene (PP). Polyethylene is generally the softer of the two, which gives Putt Pro-75 a softer feel underfoot. Polypropylene is stiffer, which helps fibers stand upright against the infill and suits Augusta’s taller pile.
Infill
Infill is what turns turf into a putting surface. Sand settles between the fibers, holds them upright, and adds the weight that keeps the turf flat. Fine, rounded silica sand is widely used for greens, but it’s only one of several types of artificial grass infill, each with its own trade-offs in cost, feel, and heat.
How Do Pile Height and Infill Affect Ball Roll?
A shorter pile gives the ball less fiber to push through, and a full, even layer of sand infill firms the surface so the ball rolls across the fiber tips instead of sinking into them. Ball roll depends on three things: the turf, the infill, and the base underneath. The turf sets the range, but the build sets the final speed.
As a general rule, more infill and a firmer base make a green play faster, while a taller pile usually needs more infill to reach the same firmness. You can see this pattern in the TDS: Augusta’s 0.71″ pile calls for 2.5 lbs of infill per square foot, compared with 2 lbs for Putt Pro-75’s 1/2″ pile.
Golfers measure green speed with a Stimpmeter, a grooved ramp that releases a ball from the same point every time, so it leaves at a consistent speed. The number of feet it rolls is the Stimp reading. Many public courses run roughly 8 to 10, and tournament greens often run 12 or higher.
The key point: Stimp speed isn’t a fixed property of a turf roll. Neither Putt Pro-75 nor Augusta lists one on its TDS because the final speed depends on:
- How much infill goes in and how evenly it’s spread
- How firmly the base is compacted
- How the fibers are brushed after infill
- How much slope and contour are built into the green
That’s why choosing the best artificial turf for a putting green starts with specs you can verify, like pile height and gauge, and then relies on a good build to fine-tune speed.
Putt Pro-75: Best for a Short, Tight Practice Surface
Putt Pro-75 putting green turf is built for golfers who prioritize a fast, true roll. Its 1/2″ pile is the shortest in our lineup, and the 3/16″ gauge keeps the surface tight.
It’s a strong fit for:
- Backyard practice greens focused on lag putting and short putts
- Golf simulator and training studio setups
- Bocce ball courts that need a consistent, low surface
- Projects where a lower infill load (2 lbs/sq ft) matters for budget or logistics
Augusta: Best for a Dense, Natural-Looking Green
Augusta putting green turf accepts a slightly taller 0.71″ pile in exchange for more density. Its 60 oz face weight is the higher of the two, and the Flower Green and Flower Lime blend is designed to read like manicured bentgrass rather than flat green plastic.
It’s a strong fit for:
- Backyard greens that double as a visual centerpiece
- Commercial greens and training facilities with daily, multi-user traffic
- Mixed-use yards that pair a green with a bocce lane
- Contractors who want TDS-backed specs to quote against
The higher 2.5 lbs/sq ft infill ratio also gives the surface more body, which helps it stay stable under heavy foot traffic.
What’s the Best Artificial Turf for an Outdoor Putting Green?
Both products are rated for outdoor use, so the decision for an outdoor putting green comes back to roll versus density. Per their TDS, both are UV stabilized, heat and frost resistant, and flame retardant, with 30+ inches per hour of drainage through the backing.
Three outdoor factors matter more than the turf choice:
- Base prep. A compacted, well-graded base keeps the green flat and lets water move off and through it. Uneven bases cause breaks you didn’t design.
- Drainage path. The backing drains fast, but water still needs somewhere to go below the base. On clay or heavily compacted soil, plan for extra drainage under the base so water doesn’t pool.
- Heat. All artificial turf gets hot in direct summer sun, and putting greens are no exception. In desert markets like Las Vegas and Phoenix, plan for shade or a cool-down rinse on peak afternoons.
Once you’ve picked your turf, the next step is planning the build. Knowing how to build a backyard putting green from layout to base prep to budget helps you get the drainage and slope right the first time.
How Much Infill Does a Putting Green Need?
Multiply your green’s square footage by the infill ratio on the TDS. Putt Pro-75 calls for 2 lbs per square foot, and Augusta calls for 2.5 lbs.
| Green size | Putt Pro-75 infill | Augusta infill |
| 200 sq ft | 400 lbs (8 x 50 lb bags) | 500 lbs (10 bags) |
| 300 sq ft | 600 lbs (12 bags) | 750 lbs (15 bags) |
| 500 sq ft | 1,000 lbs (20 bags) | 1,250 lbs (25 bags) |
| 1,000 sq ft | 2,000 lbs (40 bags) | 2,500 lbs (50 bags) |
Order one or two extra bags for top-ups. Infill shifts with use, and occasional brushing plus a light refill keeps the roll consistent.
How to Choose the Best Artificial Turf Company for a Backyard Putting Green
The best artificial turf companies for backyard putting green projects make it easy to verify what you’re buying. Before you order, check for:
- Published spec sheets. If a supplier can’t show pile height, gauge, face weight, and infill ratio, you can’t compare products.
- Warranty length. Look for coverage on fading, materials, and workmanship. Many suppliers offer 8 to 10 years.
- Roll width. Wider rolls mean fewer seams. Seams are where a putt is most likely to hop, so a 15′ roll is a real advantage.
- Samples you can compare. Check the color, density, and feel of each sample side by side before committing to 1,000+ square feet. To judge how a green rolls, see a filled display at a showroom.
- Inventory and showrooms. Seeing turf in person beats any product photo. Festival Turf has showrooms in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, and San Bernardino.
Festival Turf is a supplier. You buy the turf and infill from us, and your contractor or crew handles the build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pile height is best for a putting green?
A pile height between 1/2″ and 3/4″ is best for a putting green. A shorter pile gives a smoother, truer roll. Putt Pro-75 has a 1/2″ pile, and Augusta has a .71″ pile.
Does putting green turf need infill?
Yes. Putting green turf needs sand infill to hold the fibers upright and keep the surface flat. Putt Pro-75 calls for 2 lbs per square foot, and Augusta calls for 2.5 lbs per square foot.
What’s the difference between putting green turf and regular artificial grass?
Putting green turf has a much shorter pile and a tighter gauge than landscape artificial grass. Regular turf has longer, softer blades built for a natural lawn look, and those blades slow and deflect a rolling ball.
Which is the best artificial turf for a putting green: Putt Pro-75 or Augusta?
Putt Pro-75 is the better pick for the shortest, tightest practice surface. Augusta is the better pick for a denser green with a more natural bentgrass look. Both share a 3/16″ gauge and a 15-year warranty.
Can putting green turf be used for bocce ball?
Yes. Both Putt Pro-75 and Augusta are rated for bocce ball courts as well as putting greens, indoors or outdoors.
How long does a synthetic putting green last?
A synthetic putting green lasts 20 to 25 years with proper care. Both Festival Turf putting green products carry a 15-year warranty covering fading, workmanship, and materials.
Find Your Green Before You Commit
The best artificial turf for a putting green is the one that matches how you play. Pick Putt Pro-75 for a short, tight practice surface, or Augusta for a denser green with a natural bentgrass look.
Both are backed by Festival Turf’s 15-year warranty and built to last 20 to 25 years. The easiest way to decide is to compare them side by side. Order a free sample of each to check color and density, or visit a showroom to see how they play.








