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Residential Artificial Grass: How to Install a Backyard Putting Green

Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
If you wish to enjoy the pleasures of golf in your own backyard, then residential artificial grass is a fantastic option for you. Here we explain what backyard putting green is and how to install it at your home.
If you are an avid golf lover who loves to indulge in the game, then you probably must have thought about getting your own golf course. Wasting 3-4 hours for 18 holes at the local golf club is definitely a bad idea, especially when you can easily have a golf course of your own.
You don't have to get the conventional bentgrass course which requires regular mowing, fertilizing, weeding, and irrigation to have your own course. Residential artificial grass relieves you of all activities, and still gives you the feel of natural grass.
The most natural golf conditions are offered by bentgrass. But since it is natural grass, it demands heavy maintenance. The cost of maintenance for a bentgrass lawn is much higher than that of its installation.
However, an inexpensive alternative is putting green. It is a synthetic grass made of polypropylene or nylon. The only maintenance it requires is of cleaning dry leaves and other debris. Being synthetic, it needs neither mowing nor fertilizers. Hence, not only is the cost of maintenance eliminated but it also reduces lawn-keeping efforts to great extent.
Moreover, you do not need to worry about bugs and grass diseases or irrigation during summer. It can be installed outdoors as well as indoors as it does not need any sunlight. You can also create perfect contours or undulations using putting green. In short, artificial green gives you all benefits of real grass without unwanted maintenance activities.

Installation

Installing artificial green is a matter of one or two days. Small patches of a size of 12' x 30' can be installed in a single day, whereas the bigger ones of a size of 24' x 30' can be installed in two days.
Most companies that deal with artificial grass offer 'do it yourself' kits, so that you can install it on your own. The equipment needed for installation―like a shovel, rake, push broom, etc.―are easily available. A mechanical plate compactor can be rented from a nearby hire shop.
The basic installation steps include

1. Calculate the location and size of the area.

2. Clear the old grass, if any, and level the area.

3. Evenly distribute a sub-base material.
4. Compact the sub-base to a depth of approximately 4".
5. Dig holes for sleeves and cups and fill with concrete.

6. Lay the putting green over the sub-base.

7. Cut outer edges of the green according to the design. Cut the holes and fit the cups.

8. Use 4'' galvanized spikes to secure the artificial grass's outer edge .
You may also install a sand trap next to your putting green. Surrounding the green with conventional turfgrass across the boundary, allows you to practice wedge shots as well as putts. The only problem with putting green is that you cannot move the holes around, as they are installed with concrete.
Putting green allows you to enjoy the game in the comfort of your own home. You can also teach your kids the basics of golf, or call your buddies for a game on a Sunday afternoon. It gives you all the pleasures of a real golf course at much lower expense.