Backyard Putting Green Guide: 3 methods to realize your wave dream

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Whether it is always a vision for your dream home or if you have trouble squeezing the practice into your busy schedule, a backyard that turns green may help your landscape and play shine.

There are several ways to add a putting surface to your property. In this guide we show some of the available options and what you can expect when choosing your green (no mowing required).

We deal with:

DIY putting greens
Stand alone options available for purchase
Professionally installed greens

DIY Backyard Putting Greens

The do-it-yourself method is easy to do if you are handy and like to have control over the result, both in terms of design and budget. DIY does not have to be expensive, but this option will be the most labor-intensive. If you want to take on the challenge: hire some equipment, call a few friends with the promise of their favorite drink and prepare for a few days of gardening.

Image: Tourlinks

The process looks something like this:

Choose a part of your garden and dig out your green (about 6-8 "deep, especially important in areas with cold weather) plus extra width for fringe and rough.
Filling with heavy road gravel as a basis for water drainage and top with fine gravel or road dust.
Level the surface with a plate compactor.
Cover the area with landscape fabric to prevent weeds from popping up.
Make holes using a post hole gripper and place the cups.
Lay the turf down and secure the edges and seams with pins or staples.
Add fringe or rough for short play exercises and to network with the remaining yard.
Cut out the holes of the turf using a tool knife.
Add infill to change the green speed and help protect and protect the turf from wear and exposure.

This video from the Canadian company Bella Turf is very extensive:

For a quicker idea of ​​the process, view this 14-hour project using the Tour Links system:

Some companies offer kits with one less step by delivering pre-cut base layers and turf (as in the previous video) that come together as a puzzle. Groups such as Pro Putt Systems and Tourlinks have kits with different sizes and custom orders that allow you to create a smooth surface with a lot less work.

The costs depend largely on the size of the area you are converting. And most of those costs will come in the form of green grass cover. Bulk grass costs about $ 5 / sq. Ft, especially for high-quality material. With the extra costs of cups, pens, artificial grass mats, edge material, a base layer, a top layer, compactor rental and a 24-pack, you will probably see $ 6-12 / sq. Somewhere between . Ft .

If you decide to use one of the UltraBaseSystems like Tour Links, you will probably still add a few dollars per foot, but a part of it in save your base layer.

Although this option is the most labor-intensive, it is also the most rewarding one. All decisions and work will be yours to make while saving a bit of green for classes. At the end of the weekend you can sit back and enjoy your work.

Purchase Stand-alone Backyard Putting Greens

There are many accessibility issues that you have with the do-it-yourself method. Maybe you have less of a garden and more of a patch, or your HOA will not let you dig up your lawn for the benefit of your game – you still have other options!

Standalone backyard putting greens are a great compromise without breaking the bank.

This is more of your "aboveground" option and lets you place your putting green in your garden, on the terrace or even in a part of your garden if you do not want to kill the lawn. In addition, you are not bound to one place like the in-ground versions.

Again Tourlinks and Pro Putt Systems offer you the possibility to put together different sizes without having to do so. tools. With these systems you get a solid base, first-class surface material and its cups already installed and cut out. You can also purchase accessories to add pause to your surface, making it infinitely customizable.

Here is an example of how much less work is required for one of these systems:

Other companies, such as SYNLawn use a foam base instead of molded plastic. These kinds of options can be better if you have to move often because of the limited space.

Prices range from $ 779 to almost $ 4000 or about $ 15-20 / sq. Ft . It may be a bit more an investment, but you can take it with you if you happen to move!

Professional installation

The last option to consider is that professionals install a putting green for you. The putting greens in the backyard are so common nowadays that many landscape architects have specialized artificial grass teams.

Professional installation will most likely be the most expensive option, but you can guarantee that it is done correctly and with an expert approach to the environment. Here is an example of an installation by a professional team with SYNLawn:

First you have to find someone to do the job. With a quick Google search in your region, you need to look up different companies with experience in the installation. If that does not produce the results you are looking for, you can contact turf companies such as Tour Greens or Southwest Greens to get a list with authorized dealers in your area.

Subsequently, contractors will work with you to evaluate the area and design the green, giving you extra options for short game areas and even bunkers. Everything after that will be left to their skillful hands and the depth of your wallet.

And now with your new knowledge of reading the do-it-yourself section, you can come along while the pros transform your backyard.

Quotes usually start around $ 15-25 / sq. ft . Of course, the larger the area and the more functions you choose, the higher the price tag. Extra labor costs play a role when contractors have to do more work with a foundation or have difficulty accessing an area. All these other costs must be discussed at the beginning of your project and agreed before you begin.

Packing

If you are interested in greening a backyard with artificial grass, there are three paths you can take. If you follow the do-it-yourself route, you can save some money, but it is only recommended for "more convenient" golfers. If you want a more premium experience to be carried out correctly, you can always hire a local contractor to pay for it, but it will cost considerably more.

Finally, there are several options for a ready-to-use system that requires very little labor.

Good luck with your project! If you want to practice effectively in your backyard to turn green, be sure to check out our complete guide on wells.