How to install a putting green

Expect to pay between $18 and $25 per square foot to have a backyard putting green installed. This pricing could change based on size. The larger your golf green, the less you’ll pay per square foot; most contractors lower their rates for bigger projects.

Remove all organic material (sod, soil, grass) to a depth of 6”. Replace the 6” of removed organic material with ¾” crushed gravel to a height of 4”. Rake and water to create the desired surface with any undulation or elevation changes you want in your putting green.

To make the base for the putting green, put crushed stone, such as 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch unwashed, crushed limestone, into the excavated area. Spread the crushed rocks out evenly with a rake or shovel.

Increase your home value – If you were ever considering putting your house on the market, having a backyard putting green can increase the value of your home. So, not only is it a good investment for your golf game, but also for your overall wealth.

Increase Speed with Sand

You can increase the speed you achieve on artificial grass putting greens by using dried kiln sand. In fact using this sand with nylon greens can increase the stimp speed of the green by up to two grades. Depending on the brand, you can use quite a bit of sand to alter the speed.

Use a sand topdressing, worked into the grass canopy, to keep the surface firm and smooth. Roll with it. That is, use a mechanical roller to smooth the surface and increase ball speed.

The Length of Your Putting Green Grass

Industry standard for putting greens is . 125” (1/8th an inch), which is believed to maximize optimal ball roll while maintaining clean grass.

You can roll your turf using one of the large water filled lawn rollers like this one. What is nice about these rollers is you can adjust the amount of water you put in the roller to dial in the amount of compaction you get. The goal with the roller is not to compact the infill.