How To Build An Artificial Grass Putting Green (eASY Fix)

Golf is a great way to stay active and bond with friends and family. Being able to play in your own backyard with your own putting green will allow you more flexibility than playing at a local golf course. 

You can play whenever you want, and it’ll save you money on greens fees! Building an artificial turf putting green can be a lot of fun, but it does require some work. 

There are many different steps involved in creating your own mini-golf course:

Sure, here’s a table summarizing the key takeaways without the dash at the beginning:

How to Install an Artificial Turf Putting Green
Key Takeaways
Prepare the surface by removing grass, rocks, and other debris.
Install a sub-base made of crushed stone or granite fines.
Use a plate compactor to level and compact the sub-base.
Roll out the artificial grass and cut it to fit the desired dimensions.
Secure the edges of the grass using landscaping nails or adhesive.
Infill the grass with silica sand or rubber granules if desired.
Brush the grass regularly to prevent matting and keep it looking fresh.

Laying Artificial Turf

The first thing that you will need to do when installing an artificial grass putting green is prepare the ground. 

This can be done by using a tiller to loosen up the soil so that it is easier for you to lay your turf down. 

Make sure there are no large rocks or tree roots in your yard before doing this so that they don’t damage your lawn when you start tilling it. 

If there are any areas where grass has been worn away, try adding some topsoil and compost with water in order to help regrow some new blades of grass.

If you’re looking to build a putting green using artificial grass, check out our guide on building a putting green with artificial grass. You’ll learn about the materials you need, how to prepare the space, and step-by-step instructions on putting it all together.

Building A Border

After you’ve laid down your artificial grass, it’s time to build a border around the putting green. You can define the putting green by using a border that is made of any material you like. A few examples are bricks or stones, plants, or even wooden pickets. 

If you want to keep your artificial grass healthy and grow well over time, I recommend using plants for this purpose (you can also use other materials).

When building an artificial grass putting green border, make sure it doesn’t impede the playability of your new course. 

This means that if you are going with a wooden picket design for instance: make sure there aren’t any gaps between each picket so players won’t have trouble hitting from side-to-side as well as back-to-front shots when practicing on their own time!

Building a Border

MaterialProsCons
Bricks/StonesDurable and long-lastingCan be more expensive
PlantsNatural-looking and can enhance landscapingMay require more maintenance
Wooden PicketsAffordable and easy to installMay not be as durable in certain weather conditions
Metal EdgingDurable and easy to installCan be more expensive
Rubber CurbEco-friendly and durableLimited in design options

This table outlines the pros and cons of some common materials used to create a border around artificial grass putting greens. When selecting a border material, consider the durability, cost, and maintenance required for each option. This will help you choose the right material for your needs and budget.

Designing The Green

Designing your putting green is a creative process, but it should be fun and easy to use. Take the time to plan out your putting green in advance, so you can make sure it will be functional and easy to maintain. 

You want it to be a good place for your family and friends to gather, as well as a good place for you to relax after work or school.

When installing artificial grass, laying a solid base is crucial to ensure a long-lasting and even lawn. Not sure how to do it? No worries, our guide on building a base for artificial grass has got you covered. Learn about the tools and materials needed, how to calculate the amount of materials required, and step-by-step instructions to help you create a durable base.

Marking The Green

The next step is to mark the green using paint, flags or textured turf around your golf green. If you choose to use paint, be sure to not use a bright color because it will stand out against the grass and make it look fake. 

Black or dark blue are great choices for this purpose since they blend in with your artificial grass well.

You can also use flag markers if you want something more permanent than paint but still don’t want to go through the hassle of laying out holes every time you play golf or install new turf every few months like natural greens require. 

The flags should be placed about 3-4 inches apart from one another in order for them not to be easily removed by playing partners who make mistakes during their games (and with as much practice as most players put into perfecting their swings these days, that’s going happen).

Marking the Green

MethodProsCons
PaintEasy to apply and cost-effectiveBright colors can detract from natural look
FlagsVisible from a distance and easy to moveMay obstruct view of golf green
Textured TurfProvides a tactile cue for putting strokeMay be difficult to find exact matches to existing turf

Putting The Holes In Place

The next step is to mark off the positions of your holes. The size, depth and shape will vary depending on your putting green surface, but you’ll need at least three holes for a basic course. 

You can use an ordinary pen to draw around a gallon jug or plastic container with measurements marked on it for reference.

Putt-putting is an important part of golfing practice, so be sure that each hole has a number clearly visible from both sides of the green. 

You may wish to have numbers in different colours if you are using multiple artificial grass surfaces—one colour per surface allows you to easily differentiate between them during play time!

Artificial grass is low-maintenance compared to natural grass, but it still requires some care to ensure its longevity. Check out our tips on how to care for artificial grass to discover how to clean and maintain your artificial grass to keep it looking lush and fresh.

Making A Tee Box For Your Golf Green

The tee box is the place where you stand to tee off. If you’re building a putting green for your home, it should be at least 3 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 5 feet long. 

You don’t want to make this tee box too big because then it will take up too much space on your lawn. You also need to make sure that when you’re standing in the middle of this area, it will level with the rest of grass when you’re ready to hit your ball down onto it.

Using Flags To Mark The Holes

The golf course is going to have flag posts at the end of every green and each hole. These are vital for keeping score, so make sure you install them correctly. 

They need to be at least 2m tall, made from strong material and placed at an angle in the ground so that players can easily see them from any distance. Finally, paint them white or choose another colour that contrasts with the grass surface.

If you live in the UK, our guide on how to maintain your artificial lawn in the UK is a must-read. We provide region-specific advice on how to maintain your lawn throughout the year, including important considerations for the UK climate.

Adding Textured Turf Around Your Golf Green

Once you have removed all of the old grass, you can start to texture your artificial putting green. This is an important step when installing a new golf green and should not be skipped if you want a smooth and even surface on your new putting surface.

The best way to shape your new turf is by using a leaf rake, which helps create that textured effect that makes golf greens so great looking. 

A leaf rake will help remove any clumps of grass while still maintaining some height in key areas like around the hole itself. 

You’ll also want to use the edge of the rake to make sure that everything is smooth and even all over your artificial putting green – this will ensure no corners or edges are visible when someone hits their ball off-center!

Adding Plastic Tiles Around The Hole

If you want to add a little something extra to your putting green, try laying out some plastic tiles around the hole. These can be made from recycled plastic and can be used for several purposes.

  • They can mark the cup for golfers who use a ball that is too large for the hole (which happens quite often).
  • They can also mark tees boxes so that golfers know where they should set up their tee shots for par or birdie.
  • The tiles can even mark out putting greens so that players know how far away from the hole they need to hit their putts because grass is more forgiving than dirt!

With so many options available, choosing artificial grass can be overwhelming. Our beginner’s guide on how to choose the best artificial grass breaks down the factors to consider when choosing artificial grass, such as pile height, blade shape, and color. Read through the guide to help you make an informed decision on the best grass for your needs.

Putting Decorative Rocks On The Edges Of Your Green Area

Once you have laid the artificial turf, it is time to add decorative rocks on the edges of your green area. Laying stones is an art in itself. 

The most important thing is to create a line that looks natural, with no sign of disturbance or disruption in terms of color, shape and size. 

You can use a hand rake to install your stones if necessary, but remember that you don’t want any gaps between them as this will give away their artificial nature.

Once installed, these stones need regular maintenance to keep them looking fresh and new – especially after heavy rain or during winter months when frost may form on them overnight!

Using Plants To Decorate Your Putting Green Area

The final step in creating a beautiful artificial turf putting green is to add plants and decorative items. This will make your putting green stand out from others and give it that extra touch of class.

Plants are also beneficial for cleaning the air, so you can breathe easier with them around!

There are many different types of plants you can choose from, but here are some suggestions:

  • Eucalyptus trees (for their high oxygen levels)
  • Rosemary bushes (for their pleasant smell)

Installing Lighting For Nighttime Playing Sessions

Installing an outdoor lighting system to illuminate your putting green is also a great way to make it more visually appealing and safe. 

This will offer a unique aspect that traditional golf courses don’t have, which could be something that helps you attract customers in the future.

Installation of the lighting system should be done by professionals, but if you want to install it yourself, we recommend using an indoor/outdoor lantern light fixture with two bulbs installed on either side (one bulb facing forward and one facing backward) so that it doesn’t blind other players as they walk on or off of your green at night. 

The lights need to be high enough so that they don’t interfere with each other when installed correctly.

Conclusion

So there you have it, an easy-to-follow guide to creating your very own artificial grass putting green. 

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create an amazing golfing experience for yourself and others in no time.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to learn more about building an artificial grass putting green:

How to Make Your Own Backyard Putting Green – A comprehensive guide to building a backyard putting green by Golf.com, including tips on selecting the right turf, building a base, and more.

How to Build a Putting Green – The Left Rough provides a detailed guide on how to build a putting green using both real and artificial turf, with plenty of photos to help you visualize each step.

How to Prepare the Surface for the Best Putting Greens, Plus 5 DIY Success Tips – Artificial Turf Express provides tips on how to prepare the surface for the best putting greens, including information on what materials to use, best practices for installation, and more.

FAQs

What is the best type of artificial grass for putting greens?

The best types of artificial grass for putting greens are those with shorter pile heights, as they will provide a more realistic ball roll. Nylon or polypropylene fibers are popular choices, as they offer durability and resilience.

How much space do I need for a backyard putting green?

The amount of space you need for a backyard putting green depends on the specific design you have in mind. However, a standard guideline is to aim for a minimum of 10 feet by 10 feet to fit a few putting holes.

How do I maintain my artificial grass putting green?

To maintain your artificial grass putting green, you should regularly sweep or blow off debris, remove any weeds or unwanted plants that may grow on the surface, and rinse it off with a hose or mild detergent solution.

What kind of sub-base material should I use for an artificial grass putting green?

A good sub-base material for an artificial grass putting green is crushed stone or granite fines, which allows for proper drainage and a stable base for your turf.

How do I ensure my putting green is level?

To ensure your putting green is level, use a level tool and a straight edge to check the surface in all directions. Make adjustments as needed by adding or removing base material until you have achieved a level surface.