It’s time to finally take your outdoor space from good to great with the best putting greens! Whether you’re looking for a new way to have fun with friends and family or want a training aid for putting, chipping, distance control and more, investing in the best quality DIY synthetic grass is the way to go.
Here at Artificial Turf Express, we know that installing an entire putting green in your backyard can seem like a daunting task. However, trust us – even the most inexperienced DIY amateur can install a fantastic putting green, provided you do your research first!
We’ve compiled some of the top questions DIY installers have about installing a backyard putting green, plus expert answers to all them, including links where you can learn more about each step of the process. Let’s begin!
This may be surprising, but you don’t need a lot of complicated tools or equipment to install your own putting green. In fact, we’re betting you already have most of what you need in your garden shed! For anything that you don’t have yet, simply borrow from your neighbors or rent one from your local equipment store.
In general, this is what you’ll need to install a synthetic putting green:
Most of these are very easy to find. Not sure how to use some of the tools above? Read our article about 15 Important Tools You’ll Need for DIY Artificial Grass Installation in San Jose!
Although there are many artificial grass products out there, the best synthetic putting green turf to use is one that’s specially designed for such installations. They will have a special “putting” grade texture that allows you to practice your shots without worrying about damaging the infill or blades of grass.
In addition, the best artificial turf is often short to mimic the perfectly-mowed surface of golf courses and provide true ball roll and green speeds.
The best artificial grass for your putting green will also depend on how you plan to use it— for leisure or for serious golf practice?
For instance, Artificial Turf Express carries several types of putting green grass, such as:
Each of these offers a different putting green experience, so we recommend thinking carefully about what you want from your installation first. Feel free to call us if you have questions about selecting artificial grass for your putting green!
Before you can install the best putting green, it’s critical to prepare the ground properly first. You’ll want a flat and even surface so that your turf will be able to lay smoothly and deliver proper ball roll.
You will need to do some heavy work like breaking up any big lumps of clay or leveling out uneven areas with gravel, sand or topsoil. Next, make sure to remove any large rocks, roots, sprinklers or other obstacles from the surface. After that, you’ll need to level out the synthetic putting green site with a rake or shovel and sweep away any dirt clods that may still be present. You may also need to apply insecticides and a weed killer in preparation for the turf.
This step is extremely important because uneven ground and unwanted slopes will create a bumpy golf surface that can ruin your game. Worse, this can cause several problems for your putting green:
In short, preparing the ground is not something you should take lightly. We share more success tips in our article, How to Prepare the Surface for the Best Putting Greens (Plus 5 DIY Success Tips!), so don’t miss that one!
There are many common mistakes that people make during putting green installation, especially if you have no prior experience:
But here’s the thing— literally all of them are avoidable as long as you’re careful and pay attention to the details. And if you don’t? You’re risking these costly DIY installation problems for yourself.
Shock pads are not necessary for the best putting greens, but foam padding can significantly improve other types of turf installations, such as a playground. A shock pad helps absorb impact from trips and falls, makes the surface softer to walk on and gives the installation a beautiful finish.
If you think this is something you may want for your project, learn more about foam padding from our In-Depth DIY Guide to Foam Shock Pads for the Best Artificial Turf.
A lot! Some golf features you can add to a DIY putting green are sand traps, water hazards, bunkers and hills. In particular, the following DIY features can be made with just a little effort on your part:
Other features are more complex to create but still very doable:
There’s no limit to what you can do with artificial grass, DIY skills and a good splash of creativity. Not sure if an idea you have will work? Call or visit us here at Artificial Turf Express and we’d be happy to go over your plans with you!
Building your own putting green can be a lot of fun and it’s not as difficult as you might think. You just need to do some research, equip yourself with the right tools and materials and buy high-quality products for installation.
If you want an expert opinion on your project before diving in head-first, Artificial Turf Express is at your service!
From providing the best-quality DIY artificial grass products and accessories to answering your questions, we have you covered. We can even deliver straight to your home or project site for extra convenience. Call us at 408-413-3179 to see how we can help with your project!