Backyard Putting Green: Cost, Types And More

If you’re an avid golfer, you’ve probably looked out at your backyard and thought, "What if I had a putting green just steps away from my door?" Imagine what that would do for your short game!

Luckily, if you have land to spare, it’s relatively easy to install and maintain your own personal putting green. Whether you hire a professional to create your practice space or you build it yourself, it’s important to understand the average cost, installation options and maintenance of a backyard putting green.

Since the fastest way to take strokes off of your golf game is by improving your putting, many fans and pros alike practice at home on their own green. You can design backyard putting greens in all shapes and sizes, with options for both straight and level putts. Homeowners can even create putting greens with in-ground challenges, such as uphill putting or breaking putts.

The key to planning your backyard putting green is to customize it to fit your yard and its landscaping. For example, if you’re working with a flat yard with less square footage, you’ll probably want to design a short and tight green. If, on the other hand, you have sprawling acres of land to redesign, you can create your own version of a hole from Augusta or Pebble Beach.

Before you start challenging your friends to a short game in the backyard, let’s review the average cost of installing a personal putting green.

According to HomeAdvisor, most contractors charge between $18 and $25 per square foot of artificial turf. That means that a 100-square-foot green will cost about $1,800 to $3,000, and an expansive 500-square-foot green will average at least $9,000.

If you choose to build your own putting green, you’ll need to budget for a few other essentials besides the turf. For example, if the land for the proposed putting green needs to be leveled, you can expect to pay about $3,100 for land grading. Installing your own turf has an average price tag of $4,580, and the final steps of building the holes and placing flag poles is an additional $300.

The cost of your backyard putting green will also depend on the complexity of the design, how accessible your backyard is, and whether you opt for fancy features like adjacent water hazards or sand traps.

If the backyard is prepped and the budget is set, the next step is to decide how you want to bring your putting green to life. Here are the primary options for installing this type of project.

Hire A Professional Golf Green Builder

If you’re wary about installing the putting green yourself, don’t worry – there are professional golf green building companies that can transform your backyard for you. Hiring a team that specializes in custom putting greens is the only way to guarantee that your green is installed correctly and maintains its shape.

Since this is becoming one of many popular home improvement projects among homeowners, it should be easy to find a green-building company in your area. If your backyard needs grading, the professional team will either provide that service or recommend a trusted local contractor to handle that part of the job.

Make A DIY Backyard Putting Green

Ready to construct the putting green of your dreams? While it can be a lengthy process, many homeowners choose to design and install their own golf green to cut down on costs. If you’re planning to DIY your putting green, stick to the following steps provided by Golf.com for air-tight construction:

• Clear and prep the area. First things first: Clear the future golf area of any grass, weeds, soil or plants. If the land needs to be leveled, hire a contractor to flatten the surface and prepare the plot for installation.
• Dig the length of the green. According to the experts at Golf.com, you should dig the length of the putting green, about 10 inches deep. This is to prepare the plot for the sand and other materials that need to be laid before the grass.
• Add slopes and bumps. If you want to make your mini-course more difficult, you can add various slopes or bumps into the terrain. Use a mini excavator to create seamless tracks, but make sure that all slopes are at a maximum of 2.5%.
• Install a drainage system. There’s nothing worse than a soggy golf green. To avoid this problem, simply install a drainage system made up of pipes that will lead rainwater away from the putting green. Experts also recommend covering the piping with pea gravel to secure it in place.
• Cover with sand. The next step is to cover the area with specialty golf course sand. This type of sand will help drain water away from the top layer of grass.
• Lay the grass. If you’re using synthetic grass, now is the time to cut, form and lay it down in your designed formation. Push and tuck the turf edges around the borders. If you’re seeding your turf, consult with a lawn care expert about the proper watering and maintenance schedule.
• Install holes and cups. For the final step, install the holes that you’ll be putting the ball in. Some homeowners choose to purchase a hole-puncher to easily create holes and place cups.

Use A Backyard Putting Green Kit

If you’re looking to build your own putting green using only the finest materials, consider purchasing a backyard putting green kit. These DIY kits are available online from specialty makers, and they come in multiple different sizes and styles to customize your green as much as possible. While you still have to set it up by yourself, the kits come with step-by-step instructions to guide the installation process.

The benefit of this DIY method is that instead of buying all of the supplies and tools individually, the kit provides everything you need. Some putting green kits, such as this one from Bella Turf, come with two different kinds of synthetic grass, as well as seam tape, spikes, cups, pins and flags.

Once you’ve finished installing your backyard putting green, the fun – and the work – is just beginning. To keep your putting green in top shape, it’s important to put time and effort into maintaining both the playing turf and the surrounding area.

Here are some tips to keep your artificial or seed golf green in good condition:

• Keep debris away. Be diligent about keeping various types of outdoor debris (such as twigs, leaves and dirt), off of the putting green. While this may seem like common sense, cleaning the “course” is an important step to incorporate into your practice routine.
• Rinse regularly. This maintenance step is especially relevant if you live in a warmer climate. When the weather turns hot and dry, the green is at risk of becoming dusty and stiff. Rinse the putting green with a hose to keep it looking new.
• Roll and brush to manage shape. When the turf or grass starts to look flat or worn, fluff it up with a stiff-bristle broom or brush. This will help maintain the putting ground’s uniform shape.

If you’re sick of having to book a course to practice your putting skills, you might want to consider building your own putting green in your backyard. Besides the obvious benefits to your short game performance, a home putting green also adds style and value to your home.

Wondering how to finance your future practice course? Check out our guide to the various home improvement loan options available to fund your outdoor project. Apply for prequalification on a home improvement personal loan from Rocket Loans^Ⓡ today.