How to Build a Putting Green

Golf enthusiasts often dream of having their own putting green at their backyard. It is not surprising since the travel and expenses associated with playing golf can be a huge factor, especially if you just want to relax a bit and practice putting. I remember spending more time on the road than on the golf course.

Building a putting green is easy and is less expensive than what you might expect. You can convert a 1000 square-foot lawn into a putting green for just a few hundred dollars. Pretty small amount compared to the thousands of dollars spent by golf clubs for their greens.

You will need to carefully plan though as mistakes can and will balloon your expenses. So it is advisable to consult experts before starting on your project.

If you've already decided to build a putting green on your backyard and you can already imagine yourself putting all day long, you then have to decide whether you want to do it yourself or hire a professional to build the putting green for you.

The DIY route is less expensive but is prone to mistakes; unless you are an expert yourself. Professional installations could be a little expensive but you can expect a perfect putting green in less time. And you can always call them in case you encounter problems in the future.

So I suggest hiring a professional to do the job. If in case you feel that you can do it yourself, it is still advisable to speak with experts so they can give you suggestions on how to go about it.

Professional putting green installers will have all the materials you need for the project as well golf balls, golf clubs, and even accessories for EZ GO Golf Carts, so you will speak with them one way or another.

Things to consider when building your putting green.

Drainage - The last thing you need are water puddles on your green. Water should be able to immediately run off the green in case of rain or irrigation. One way of solving this is to build your green in a sloped fashion.

Soil - You will need a different combination of soil for you putting green. A layer of sand is essential before laying the soil for your green. This is important to keep water from sinking into the soil.

Real or Alternative - Real grass needs a lot of maintenance and can be costly over time. You can choose to use synthetic grass instead. Trust me you won't notice the difference. It may be a little expensive but is cheaper in the long run since you don't have to maintain it as much.
Maintenance - You will need to consult professionals with this since caring for a putting green is way more complicated than caring for a normal lawn. For one, you will need a specialized mower and it also requires different chemical treatments. Again, you can use synthetic grass instead to lessen maintenance.

Building a putting green needs a little work at first but once it is set and you know how to take care of it properly, everything is a breeze. You can practice putting everyday at the comfort of you own home.

image courtesy of homestar / CC BY 2.0

Building an Art Car With a Golf Cart

Art cars can be a fun and exciting project to take on, just ask the guys over at Radical Golf Cart Parts. There are many steps to plan out, the first of which being the foundation of the car. It's common to strip apart a full size car to build on the frame, but many people have instead been modifying golf carts and using the motor and chassis as the base.

If you decide to use a golf cart for your art car project, you need to decide between gas powered or electric.

There are pro's and con's to both.

Gas powered golf carts often have more power, are cheaper and don't need to charged. All they need is gas and they're ready to go and can often outlast an electric golf cart if driving for durations. The problem with a gas powered golf cart though is that it's less eco-friendly and the engine is louder.

If you decide to use an electric golf cart, the main benefit is the quietness. Some are even just as fast or faster than a gas powered cart. If you don't mind carrying around a couple of spare batteries for longer drives, such as in a parade, you may want to consider it an option.

Most people tend to stick with gas powered golf carts when building golf carts, because they are much easier to upkeep and don't require charging. Whichever option you choose though, a golf cart makes a great base for an art car.

A Golf Cart or a Cab While Vacationing?

If you've ever gone on vacation to a resort, you've likely noticed people driving around in golf carts. You can also take a cab around the city if you'd like. So which should you choose during your stay?

Deciding between taking a cab or renting a golf cart varies depending on several reasons.

If the only thing you want to do is visit the beach and an occasionaly restaurant here and there, you may want to just rent a taxi. Also, if you plan on going on a ferry ride or snorkeling, there's really no reason to rent a golf cart and then let it sit for 4-6 hours.

Golf carts are great if you plan to visit lots of areas of the city. Or if you're planning on a lot of stop and go sightseeing and picture taking, you may want to consider renting a golf cart. As a tip, pick up some golf cart accessories so that you can easily identify yours from a crowd.

It really depends on what you plan to do while you're there. You could even rent a golf cart for one day of your vacation to see the town all day then take a taxi to relax on the beach the next day.

Enjoy your vacation!