Thursday, December 3, 2009

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