Last Updated on December, 2024
If you’re a passionate golfer looking to take your golf game to the next level or simply add a fun and enjoyable outdoor activity at home, installing a synthetic golf course in your backyard is a fantastic option. There’s nothing like enjoying a short game with your family and friends.
Artificial putting greens offer many benefits. Whether it’s an outdoor or indoor putting green, you can practice year-round without worrying about the weather destroying your turf, save on maintenance costs, and even increase the value of your home.
This guide will help you navigate your options for the best residential putting green turf, what to consider when choosing your turf, the best type of infill, and so much more!
Let’s dive in.
Quick Summary
- Polypropylene is affordable and resembles real grass, but is less durable, while nylon is more resilient and suited for high-traffic areas, making it ideal for serious golfers.
- Key considerations include color, density, face weight, backing, pile height, drainage, and UV protection to ensure durability, playability, and aesthetic appeal.
- Synthetic turf offers a consistently smooth surface, low maintenance, durability, UV protection, and can increase property value.
What Artificial Grass is Best for Putting Green?
Two common types of synthetic grass for backyard putting green dominate the market: polypropylene and nylon.
- Polypropylene (poly) is known for its affordability and its ability to mimic the feel of real grass. Poly putting greens are UV resistant, meaning they won’t easily fade or degrade under the sun.
- However, poly fibers are less durable than nylon and can become matted over time, especially in high-traffic areas. This is crucial to know if you plan to use the putting surface regularly, as matting can affect ball roll and high performance.
- On the other hand, nylon materials are much more durable and offer the best resistance to wear and tear. It holds up well in heavy-traffic areas, making it an excellent choice for pro golfers who want a professional-grade putting green turf.
- Nylon fibers are stronger and more resilient, providing a more consistent playing surface that doesn’t wear out. However, nylon is generally more expensive than polypropylene, so it may not be the best option for everyone.
If you’re building a recreational backyard putting green turf, high-quality polypropylene is often the go-to choice due to its natural look and budget-friendly pricing.
For more serious golfers or those looking for a professional-grade putting green turf, nylon offers a stronger and long-lasting surface for a higher price.
What to Look for When Selecting Artificial Putting Green Grass?
Choosing the right synthetic turf for your putting green is vital to ensure the best possible performance and longevity.
Here are the many key factors you should look into before making your purchase:
Color
The color of your artificial turf plays a role in its overall aesthetic. You want to choose a shade of green that closely resembles natural grass.
A high-quality putting green often comes in multiple colors of green to create a more authentic appearance. The best artificial turf will look as close as possible to a real golf course.
You should also ensure that the color remains consistent throughout the surface of your putting green turf. Any discoloration or uneven color distribution can make the green look unnatural and detract from the realistic play experience.
Density
Density refers to the number of grass blades per square foot of artificial grass putting turf. Higher-density turf is more durable and gives a more lush feel underfoot.
This makes putting greens feel more like a real golfing play area, and ensures better playability, as denser artificial putting greens tend to resist wear and tear more effectively.
This translates to a better ball roll and a more authentic golfing experience.
Face Weight
This refers to the weight of the turf fibers per square yard. A heavier face weight means thicker, more durable turf. For synthetic putting greens, a face weight between 40 and 60 ounces is ideal.
This ensures the turf is strong enough to handle regular use while maintaining a smooth, even surface that can endure heavy foot traffic without flattening or losing its bounce.
Backing
The backing of your turf contributes to the overall durability and stability of your artificial grass putting green.
Look for high-grade backing materials such as polyurethane or latex, which provide a strong support system.
A dual-layer backing offers added durability and strength. This helps the putting green maintain its form and prevents wrinkles and shifting or moving.
Pile Height
This is the length of the fake grass blades. For putting greens, a short pile height is preferable, with an ideal range of 3/8“ and 5/8“.
Shorter blades offer a smoother, more even surface, which is essential for the ideal golf ball roll. They also require less sand infill, which will save you money. Longer blades may get in the way of a rolling ball and house sand, dirt, and other debris more easily.
Drainage
Your putting green needs proper drainage to keep it usable in all types of weather. Good synthetic turfs should have multiple drainage holes through the green surfaces to allow water flow and prevent puddles from forming.
Proper drainage also helps preserve the structural integrity of the turf’s backing, preventing water damage and reducing the likelihood of mold and mildew growth. This will allow your golf balls to roll through.
UV Protection
UV protection is needed to maintain the color and quality of your putting green. Without UV inhibitors, your fake grass can fade with time due to constant sun exposure.
Choose a putting green turf with built-in UV protection to ensure it stays vibrant and strong for years.
Why Use Artificial Grass for a Putting Green?
There are many advantages to using synthetic grass for putting greens. These include:
- A consistently smooth surface that allows for excellent playability regardless of weather.
- Low maintenance, as artificial turf doesn’t require mowing, watering, or fertilizing, saving time and money.
- Durability.
- Built-in UV protection to prevent fading.
- Higher property value.
What Infill Should I Use for Artificial Turf?
Your artificial putting green needs certain synthetic turf products to keep it in shape. Infill is one of the green products needed to cushion your synthetic turf, keeping it fluffed up and vibrant. There are two infill options you can choose from:
- Sand is a popular choice that provides stability and a natural feel and helps weigh the turf down.
- Rubber infill offers excellent shock absorption and comfort, ideal for heavy traffic areas.
For golf courses, a mix of silica sand and rounded, colored sand is recommended for the best golfing experience.
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FAQs
Conclusion
Poly and nylon materials make for the best artificial putting greens. Now that you know what factors to look for when selecting synthetic grass, you can make an informed decision on the best turf that suits your own backyard and golf game.
