Installing a DIY backyard putting green lets you improve your golf game without leaving the comfort of your home. Prepare the area by outlining the green, removing grass, and installing a secure base. Artificial turf is recommended for putting greens because it requires less maintenance than real grass and retains playability. Install quality artificial turf, contouring it with subtle slopes like real golf greens.
Add details like holes with cups and flags, sand traps that make the game more fun, and faux fringe around the green.
With the right DIY putting green design and materials like durable artificial grass, you can build an amazing backyard oasis perfect for practicing your short game. Regularly care for your green by brushing, cleaning, and checking for wear. Follow these tips to create your own golf course green and improve your golf skills around your green in the comfort of your home.
Installing a putting green is a great way to bring the golf course to your own backyard. In our guide, you can learn more about how a home putting green makes sense. By the end, you’ll better understand that with planning and effort. You can create a functional putting green as they have on the course tour greens, which enables you to practice your short game and best putting skills at home. (Read Should I Buy A House With Radon Mitigation System)
Why Build a Putting Green in Your Small Backyard?
Installing your own putting green unlocks unlimited opportunities to play golf and improve your game without heading to the local golf course. Building your own DIY putting green allows you to work on your golf game and hone skills like putting, chipping, and your overall short game.
With quality synthetic turf and professional-grade design, you can create amazing backyard golf that mimics actual golf course greens. You can carry out much of the installation process with products from Home Depot, etc.
A personalized custom putting and chipping area makes for a great backyard addition and wastes little space while providing benefits. With a backyard putting green, you can check out the best techniques and strategies to lower your handicap and become a better golfer. Don’t wait to design your own green and transform your outdoor space into a backyard golf haven.
Benefits of an Artificial Turf Backyard Putting Green?
There are many advantages to constructing a DIY backyard putting green:
- Improve your overall golf game by frequently practicing putting, chipping, and other short-game skills.
- Work on reading greens and developing a smooth, accurate putting stroke.
- Enjoy golfing regardless of weather, time of day, or busy schedules.
- Add a fun new recreational feature to your backyard.
- Entertain guests with a unique landscaping installation.
- Make the most of small backyard spaces.
What DIY Putting Green is Best for a Backyard?
Choosing the right type of green is vital to creating a functional space that fits your backyard size and budget.
Synthetic vs. Natural Turf: Which is Better for a DIY Backyard Green?
For DIY outdoor putting green turf, artificial turf is the clear choice. Artificial turf is easy to install, affordable, and requires less maintenance than real grass putting green.
Modern artificial turf looks and plays impressively similar to real bentgrass greens on golf courses. Real grass requires substantial preparation and professional-grade drainage, irrigation, and maintenance.
What Size of Putting Green Works for a Small Yard?
Aim for at least an 8 by 12 feet home in a tiny yard, putting green to provide a usable space. But ideally, a backyard putting green should be 10 by 15 feet or larger. Consider the contours and landscaping features you want to add when planning the size. Even a 15-by-20-foot green can accommodate subtle slopes, bunks, and multiple holes.
As a guide, you can expect to pay $15 to $40 per square foot, depending on the type of turf used in your backyard putting green.
Should You Build One Green or Multiple Greens?
Another option is to construct multiple smaller artificial putting green at home throughout your yard rather than one large green. This allows you to create diverse practice spaces and work on shots from different lies or terrain.
However, one larger artificial turf putting green might look more impressive and allow more putting variety.
How to Design and Build a DIY Backyard Putting Green
Here’s more insight into the entire process of installing a backyard putting green, from initial design to final clean-up of your artificial turf golf green. Here are the key steps:
How to Design Your Putting Green Layout
Map out the size and shape of your DIY, putting green ideas based on yard space. Consider how the edges will integrate with existing landscaping. Determine the contour and any slopes or elevation changes you want to incorporate. You can use a garden hose to help. Use this to outline the green and remove the hose after you outline with paint. (Learn How To Cover Up Mud In Backyard)
Prepare the Base and Grade the Area
Create a 3-6 inch deep compacted gravel base. This retains stability and drainage under the backyard golf green and helps secure the turf. Grade the soil, ensuring proper slope so water runs off the new backyard, putting green.
Install artificial turf and Create Contours
Use a roller to make the base flat before you cover it with turf. Stretch tight and secure the edges with adhesive pins or buried lumber. Sculpt any subtle contours, slopes, or undulations into the turf.
Add Putting Green Elements Like Holes and Fringe
Use a hole cutter to create holes for the golf ball to drop in. Add a flagstick and cup to your synthetic greens. Fringe with a transition piece or stagger turf heights to make the green more challenging.
Optional Extras: Walls, Chipping Areas, Obstacles
Take your putting green backyard up a notch by integrating a retaining wall, bunkers, adjacent chipping zones, or obstacles like small hills or water hazards.
Practical Tips for Maintaining a Backyard Putting Green
Regularly maintaining your putting green is also required to keep it looking great and ensure a smooth putting surface.
Cleaning and Brushing the Turf
Remove debris with a stiff broom or leaf blower. Brush turf regularly to prevent matting, raise blades, and maintain direction. (Read What Happens If You Quit Feeding Raccoons)
Checking for Wear and Repairing Seams
Inspect for worn areas or gaps along seams. Patch small holes and detachments with turf tape or adhesive to maintain the best-putting surface.
Keeping Turf Level and Consistent
Fill in any depressions with sand or rubber granules, re-leveling as needed. Use a lawn roller periodically to smooth uneven spots for the ultimate putting experience.
Conclusion: Improve Golf Game With Synthetic Turf
Constructing a putting green in your backyard takes some initial design and preparation but is worth the effort and the putting green cost. Before long, you’ll have your custom putting green and chipping area for golf practice outside the green.
Aim for quality artificial turf and professional-grade elements like smooth contours and cup cutouts. This transforms your backyard into a golf haven and provides unlimited opportunities at home to improve your short game.
Don’t forget minor details like faux fringe around the perimeter to enhance realism. Regularly maintain your DIY green by checking for wear, brushing, and re-levelling as needed.
With proper installation and care, your residential putting green will offer an amazing space for golfing that takes your backyard to the next level. Start designing your dream green and create your personal golf course for tour greens-level practice in your backyard.
FAQs On Outdoor Putting Green Design
How big of a putting green can I fit in a small backyard?
Even a 10×15 foot synthetic putting green can provide enough space for a quality putting and chipping experience. Optimize your backyard dimensions to design the most significant green possible.
Should I use real or artificial turf?
Artificial turf is highly recommended for backyard golf-putting greens. It provides a consistent and durable surface that resembles real bentgrass greens.
What type of base is needed under the turf?
Install a 3-6 inch compacted gravel base under the turf to ensure proper drainage and stability.
How much maintenance does a backyard putting green require?
Expect to invest 15-30 minutes per week to maintain your green. This includes brushing, cleaning, inspecting for wear, and levelling as needed. (Read Can Chickens Eat Apple Skins)
What elements make a putting green more realistic?
Include contours, hole cutouts with cups/flags, fringe, and features like bunkers. Use quality materials to mimic actual golf course greens.
How can I maximize space with a small backyard green?
Make the most of the area by integrating adjacent chipping zones or multiple smaller practice greens throughout the yard, or you can have a backyard design where your putting green takes up the entire backyard.
