Last Updated on February 1, 2023 by ReTurf
Home putting greens are popular additions for homeowners who want to improve their golf skills on their own time, or entertain their guests with a fun, relaxing activity. The details and costs of a backyard putting green installation can vary greatly depending on the type of turf, design elements, and whether you choose to DIY it or have it done by a professional.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your backyard.
Factors to Consider in the Cost of a Backyard Putting Green
When estimating the cost of a backyard putting green, it’s important to consider various aspects that will affect the overall price. Your choice of putting green turf, size, and preparation will all play a role in determining the cost of your putting green.
Type of Backyard Putting Green Turf/Grass
The type of turf you select will affect the quality, look, and price of your home putting green.
Basically, your two main options consist of artificial turf or real grass.
Within the former, you can elect to go with new or used artificial grass.
Real vs Artificial Grass
Artificial turf has several advantages over real grass for a putting green:
- One of the main benefits is the consistency and reliability of the surface. Artificial grass provides a smooth and consistent surface for practicing your golf game, which is not always the case with real grass that can have varying growth patterns, unevenness, and inconsistencies.
- Additionally, artificial turf requires significantly less maintenance than real grass, which can save you time and money. With synthetic grass, there is no need for mowing, watering, or fertilizing, which can be especially beneficial for those who live in areas with water restrictions or who have limited time to care for their putting green.
- Another advantage of artificial turf is that it can be used year-round, regardless of the weather conditions. Unlike real grass that can become damaged, dormant, or brown during hot weather, heavy rain, or heavy usage, professional-grade artificial grass can withstand harsh weather and maintain its appearance and quality.
Artificial turf also provides much greater ease of customization compared to natural grass, allowing you to create a putting green that fits your aesthetic preferences and provides the performance and durability you need. Tempo Turf Putting Green Turf offers a versatile and low-maintenance option for a backyard putting green that provides a golfing experience similar to professional courses.
What Size Should a Backyard Putting Green Be?
The size of your backyard putting green will greatly influence the cost—and if you don’t have a large open area in your backyard, you may be limited by the available space.
However, even if you have a cramped backyard, you can still have a real-size putting green by choosing smaller sizes, like 15 x 20 feet, 20 x 20 feet, and so on.
Just a look at what these creative homeowners were able to accomplish with a small putting green in their backyard, transforming a small outdoor space into a relaxing oasis for golf practice and entertaining guests. It just goes to show how even a modest area can be transformed into something truly special:
Tips for Creating a Backyard Putting Green
Artificial grass putting greens are relatively easy to build and maintain, but they do require some know-how for installing. Depending on your backyard layout, the prep and install could take anywhere from an hour or so, to a full day.
- Make sure the land is free of weeds, plants, large rocks, holes, and other obstacles/organic material before you begin.
- To ensure a solid foundation, it’s important to lay your artificial turf on a compacted base of rock.
- Drainage is also crucial, so consider creating a graduated greens with gentle slopes and undulations for a more natural, organic looking green. Alternatively, consider a tiered green (see below) if your surrounding landscaping is modern, or you’re not concerned about the green looking like an organic landscape feature.
- It’s recommended to add about 2 lbs/sf of rounded silica sand for infill with artificial turf. This will help the putting green to look and feel more natural as well.
Note: If you’re not sure how to install your backyard putting green, there are professional artificial turf installers who will do the work for you. Taking the DIY approach might be tempting to save money, but if you don’t have experience working with synthetic grass or landscaping in general, it’s best to hire a professional.
The Bottom Line
A backyard putting green can be a great investment for improving your golf game, relaxing with your favorite hobby, or entertaining guests. By considering the type of grass, size, and preparation, you can determine the cost of your backyard putting green and get the best bang for your buck.
A high-quality artificial turf like Tempo Turf Putting Green Turf is a reliable, low-maintenance option that will provide you with a professional golfing experience from the comfort of your own home.
Have questions about a project?
At ReTURF, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our team of experts can answer any questions you may have and help you create the perfect putting green for your backyard. Give us a call at (828) 518-5787 or click here to contact us today!