How To Build A Putting Green With Artificial Grass

If you’re like me, you’ve always wanted a putting green. It just looks so cool on TV and in magazines. But let’s face it: building a putting green is hard work. 

You need to be concerned with drainage and slope, not to mention digging up the soil and laying down sod or artificial grass. 

Fortunately for us (and our backs), there are several ready-made options available that make building your own backyard putting green easier than ever before! 

Here’s how we put together our own brand new backyard practice area in less than two hours without any heavy lifting required!

How to Install an Artificial Turf Putting Green
Takeaways
Building a putting green with artificial grass is a great addition to a backyard and can be done through DIY methods or professional installation.
Proper care and maintenance of artificial grass is crucial for its longevity and aesthetic appeal.
The process of building a putting green with artificial grass involves materials such as artificial turf, sub-base, and compacted aggregate, and specific tools such as cups and flags.
Artificial grass can be used for a variety of landscaping projects, including pet areas and playgrounds.
Choosing the right artificial grass for your project requires consideration of factors such as material thickness, durability, and color.

Choose Your Putting Green Design

The first step in building a putting green is choosing your design. There are many different types of putting greens, but the most common are:

Bentgrass greens – The most common type of turf used on golf courses, bentgrass greens are known for their high quality and durability. 

These grasses can be found in many different colors and varieties, making them ideal for use as an artificial lawn or putting green.

Tifway 419 bermudagrass – This type of grass has been specifically cultivated to withstand heavy traffic as well as adverse conditions such as heavy rains or strong winds without showing signs of wear and tear anytime soon after installation. 

While its thick blades also provide excellent traction underfoot so you’ll never slip when walking between holes during rainy weather!

Proper care and maintenance is crucial for artificial grass to look good and last long. Check out our expert landscape advice on how to care for artificial grass to keep yours in top condition.

Measure Your Area for the Putting Green

The first step in installing an artificial putting green is to measure the area where you want to install it. It’s important to make sure that your measurements are accurate, as the size of your putting green will have a big impact on how it looks and plays. 

We recommend measuring at least three times before moving forward with your project! Once you have your measurements, use these guidelines for calculating whether or not they are adequate:

The minimum size requirement for a putting green is 5×10 feet (150 square feet).

It’s best to give yourself some extra room so that children can play around the edge of the lawn without getting too close to any walls or other structures. 

A good rule of thumb is about 2 feet on all sides for each person who will be using it regularly (e.g., 8 feet total if there are two players).

Measuring Your Area for the Putting Green

To Measure Your Area for the Putting Green:
1. Use a measuring tape or laser measure to determine the length and width of the area where you want to install the putting green.
2. Record your measurements in either square feet or square meters, depending on your unit preference.
3. Consider factors such as any curves or slopes in your designated area, as these can affect the installation process and design of your putting green.
4. Double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy before moving on to the next step.

Mark Out the Limits of the Green and Prepare the Soil

Mark out the size of the putting green.

Prepare the soil. Because you will be laying artificial grass on top of this, it is important that your soil is well drained and has no rocks or large stones in it. 

It should also be level as much as possible; if there are any dips in the ground, these will cause problems when you lay down your artificial putting green.

Level out any bumps with a roller or small tamping machine (a steel rod with a flat metal plate on one end). You can rent these from most garden centers or DIY stores for less than $100 per day.

Building an artificial grass putting green can improve your golf game and is a great addition to any backyard. Follow our easy fix guide on how to build an artificial grass putting green to get started.

Level with Sand

If you’re putting in an artificial grass putting green, it’s important to level out the ground before laying down your turf. To do this, you’ll need some sand from a hardware store.

Using a shovel or spade, remove all of the topsoil from your intended area for the putting green. Then fill in this hole with sand until it is level with the surrounding ground.

Next, use a broom or similar tool to sweep any excess sand off of your new putting green surface so that it looks nice and clean!

Leveling with Sand

To Level with Sand:
1. First, remove any grass, weeds, or debris from the area where you want to install your putting green.
2. Use a shovel or rake to distribute a layer of sand over the ground. The thickness of the sand layer depends on how deep the sub-base is, but it’s usually around 1 inch.
3. Using a screed, a straight piece of wood or metal, level out the sand layer to make it even.
4. Walk over the entire area to compact the sand until it is level and flat.
5. Add or remove sand as needed to ensure that the entire area is level.

Install Drainage and Rolling Bases

The next step is to install a drainage system and rolling base. This will help keep the greens from getting too boggy, which can make putting difficult. 

You can either install an artificial grass drainage mat or lay down some large rocks at the bottom of your putting green.

With your turf rolled out, you’re now ready to start creating your own backyard putting green! Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight, water as necessary and enjoy practicing your short game right in your own yard!

Looking to attach artificial grass to concrete surfaces for indoor or outdoor projects? Our guide on how to attach artificial grass to concrete provides helpful tips and tricks.

Install Artificial Grass on Your Putting Green

Once you have laid your artificial grass, it’s time to get out that putter and start practicing. Luckily, there are many products on the market that will help you maintain and clean your putting green.

Artificial Grass Cleaner – This product is designed specifically for cleaning artificial grass. It has a simple formula that works well at removing dirt and stains on the surface of your putting green without damaging it in any way.

Grass Stain Remover – If you need something stronger than an artificial grass cleaner but don’t want to use harsh chemicals, this product is perfect for you! It uses a proprietary formula that removes all kinds of discoloration from your putting green without damaging its fibers or leaving behind any residue.

Clean up Your Putting Green Installation Area

Before you install your putting green, you need to clear away any debris and excess soil from around the area where you plan to put it in. If there are any spills or dirt on the grass, use a broom or leaf blower to clean them off.

A dog run with artificial grass can be a great solution for pet owners. Follow our easy fix guide on how to build a dog run with artificial grass to create a safe and comfortable space for your furry friend.

Install the Holes for Your Putting Green

The next step is to install the holes for your putting green. You want the holes to be level, even and straight.

There are several ways you can accomplish this:

You can use a laser level like the one shown in the image below. This will show you how high or low each hole is compared to another and make it easier to adjust them so they’re even with each other. 

It also comes in handy if you’re using artificial grass that’s not as forgiving as real grass—the laser will help ensure that your putting surface is flat enough for a good roll before laying down any turf over it!

Install Backyard Putting Green Fringe Grass if You Want to Make a Multi-Tiered Practice Area

If you want to create a multi-tiered practice area, install Fringe Grass around the perimeter of your green. Fringe Grass is artificial grass designed to create a border around the perimeter of your putting green. 

It can be installed using a variety of methods depending on how large and how steeply sloped your yard is, including:

  • Roll-in installation (rolling out Fringe Grass in lengths and securing it with stakes)
  • Bulk installation (spreading out bulk rolls over an area and staking down)
  • Borderless installation (installing fringe all along one side of your backyard and allowing it to flow into other parts of your lawn)

Choosing the right artificial grass is important for a successful landscaping project. Check out our beginner’s guide on how to choose artificial grass in the UK and make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences.

Roll, Clean or Brush your Putting Green when Necessary

When it comes to cleaning your putting green, there are a few options. You can roll or brush your artificial grass to remove debris and other materials from the surface. 

Use a roller if you have an area of low-pile artificial grass, like the fringe around your perimeter, that needs extra attention. 

For those with high-pile carpeting on their putting greens, like in an 18th fairway setting or putting green room at home, use a brush to get into all their nooks and crannies.

Brushing also works well for getting rid of any algae buildup on your fringe turf as well as taking care of any mud or dirt that may have splashed onto it during play time.

Maintain your Artificial Grass Putting Green Regularly

Your artificial grass putting green will require regular maintenance to keep it looking its best.

  • How to maintain your artificial grass putting green:
  • Once a week, rake the putting green with a leaf rake or similar tool to remove any debris that may have fallen onto the surface. Remove any leaves and other debris with a leaf blower if needed.
  • Sweep away any sand from around your hole with a leaf rake once per month during dry weather (it can be swept up during wet weather).
  • What to do if you have problems with your artificial grass putting green:
  • If weeds grow in your artificial turf, use an organic weed killer spray on them or dig them out by hand.

Conclusion

Once your putting green is installed, take care of it! If you’re planning to use it all year round, then you will need to keep on top of the maintenance. 

This means that you should brush or roll your green when necessary, and clean up any debris left behind by pets or children. 

It’s also a great idea to wash off any dirt collected at the edges of your lawn with water before it dries up so that it doesn’t get stuck in cracks between tiles later on down the line when they become more difficult to remove effectively without pulling out all blades at once (which can be very expensive).

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources on building and maintaining a backyard putting green with artificial turf:

How to Make a Backyard Putting Green with Artificial Turf: a helpful guide from The Motz Group on the steps involved in creating a putting green using artificial turf.

How to Build a Putting Green: a comprehensive guide on building a putting green from scratch, including considerations on design and materials from The Left Rough.

How to Prepare the Surface for the Best Putting Greens Plus 5 DIY Success Tips: a step-by-step guide from Artificial Turf Express on how to prepare the surface for a high-quality putting green using artificial turf, plus some helpful tips on ensuring successful DIY installation.

FAQs

What materials are needed to build a putting green with artificial turf?

Building a putting green with artificial turf requires materials such as artificial turf itself, a sub-base with a proper drainage system, compacted aggregate or decomposed granite, and putting green cups with flags.

Is it expensive to build a putting green with artificial turf?

The cost to build a putting green with artificial turf can vary based on factors such as size, materials, and labor costs. However, using artificial turf can be more cost-effective in the long run due to reducing maintenance and water costs.

How do you maintain a backyard putting green with artificial turf?

Maintaining a backyard putting green with artificial turf involves regular grooming with a specialized brush, removing debris, and keeping the turf blade upright with a broom or leaf blower.

How long does it take to build a backyard putting green with artificial turf?

Building a backyard putting green with artificial turf can take anywhere from several days to several weeks depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Can you use artificial turf for other landscaping projects besides putting greens?

Yes, artificial turf can be used for a variety of landscaping and home improvement projects, including pet areas, playgrounds, and decorative landscaping.