Whether you're a pro golfer or a beginner, having your own putting green at home can be a huge advantage. With the right setup and maintenance, you can boost your skills, reduce your expenses on golf, and enjoy the convenience of practicing whenever you want.
But as with any investment, you should be aware of certain best practices and pitfalls when it comes to fake grass for your golf course. Below are some pieces of advice to help you get the most out of your money.
DO: CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL
When it comes to artificial putting greens, there are a variety of materials to choose from, including nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Each material has its own pros and cons, so be sure to do your homework before deciding. Some things to consider include resilience, speed, rebound, and how the material reacts to different weather conditions. At Southwest Greens of the Valley, we can help you take the guesswork out of choosing the right turf.
DON'T: GO CHEAP ON INSTALLATION
The installation process is vital when it comes to artificial putting greens. If the base isn't well-prepared, you could experience issues like unevenness, wrinkling, or even sinking. It's important to choose an experienced installer who will take the time to set up the base and ensure that the green is even and seamless. Explore our installation process to discover what sets our installation apart from the rest of the industry.
DO: CONSIDER SIZE & SHAPE
The size and shape of your putting green will depend on various factors, including your space constraints, available budget, and personal tastes. However, it's important to consider the entire design and layout of your green. Ideally, you want a green that's large enough to practice a variety of shots but not so big that it takes up your whole yard. It might be worth considering installing synthetic turf throughout your entire yard to reduce maintenance and give your family and pets a fun play area. Take a look at our pet turf and playground turf to see how you could add these great additions alongside your new putting green.
DON'T: FORGET ABOUT MAINTENANCE
One of the pros of artificial putting greens is that they need less maintenance than natural grass. But that doesn't mean you can ignore them completely. Frequent brushing and cleaning will help keep your green fresh. You'll need to periodically add sand or top dressing infill to help maintain the proper level of ball roll. Check out our turf cleaning guide to understand what you’ll need to do to keep your artificial turf looking great. We highly recommend yearly expert maintenance by your turf installer.
DO: CONSIDER LIGHTING
If you need to be able to use your putting green after dark, you might consider installing lighting. LED lights are a popular choice for artificial putting greens because they're energy-efficient, reliable, and don't get hot, so they won't melt the turf. It's strongly advised that the lights are expertly set up and angled to provide ideal coverage.
DON'T: ASSUME IT’S ONLY FOR GOLF
While the main use of your synthetic putting turf will be for putting practice, that doesn't mean they can't serve other uses as well. Depending on the structure and arrangement of your green, it could also be used for activities such as bocce ball or different sports.